AGD Capitol Connections

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington D.C. on August 23 to begin considering the adoption of a budget framework that would set the stage for their $3.5 trillion social spending and tax bill, a multi-year physical infrastructure package, and a voting rights bill.

On July 19, Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) introduced the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act (H.R.4439), which would require all state Medicaid programs to provide mandatory adult dental and oral health services.

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2022 funding legislation on July 15 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS). As anticipated, the Committee has included funding for vital oral health-related programs and provisions in the FY2022 Labor-HHS package (H.R.4502).

The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act (H.R.4311) from Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and the Medicare Dental Coverage Act (H.R.4650) from Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) were both recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both bills would expand Medicare Part B coverage to include comprehensive dental and oral health services.

On July 20, Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) reintroduced H.R.4555, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2021.

A broad coalition of health stakeholders led by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids sent a letter on June 30 to the leaders of the House Committee on Appropriations urging them to oppose any efforts to weaken FDA’s authority over cigars or any other tobacco products. The coalition included AGD along with other groups like ADA, AMA, and the American Lung Association.

AGD joined a coalition of dentist and physician organizations in sending a letter thanking the sponsors of the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, H.R.4122. This effort was spearheaded by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).

Providers who received Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments during Reporting Period 1 (April 10, 2020 – June 30, 2020) are now able to submit post-payment reporting process information through the PRF Reporting Portal. These providers have until September 10, 2021, to complete the reporting process.

On July 13, AGD advocacy leaders gathered for AGD’s 2021 Virtual Hill Day event to meet with their members of Congress and discuss AGD priority legislative issues.

The White House recently released the outline of regulatory-related actions it plans to take in the coming months within the Spring 2021 Unified Agenda.

On June 24, Rep. Brian Babin, DDS (R-TX), reintroduced the bipartisan Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act (H.R.4122).

AGD led a coalition of 15 dental organizations in sending a letter of support to Representative Karen Bass (D-CA) on June 28 for her bipartisan legislation, the Foster Youth Dental Act of 2021 (H.R.1794).

AGD Hill Day is an opportunity for member dentists and dental students to meet with their members of Congress and discuss AGD priority legislative issues. This year, the event will be entirely virtual, beginning with guest speakers and advocacy training on Thursday, July 8, and Virtual Hill Day meetings on Tuesday, July 13.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, recently introduced the Doctors of Community (DOC) Act (H.R.3671/S.1958), which would authorize substantial funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program through 2033.

On June 11, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued revised reporting requirements (press release) for health care providers who received funding from the Provider Relief Fund.

AGD sent a letter of support to Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), thanking her for reintroducing H.R.2295, the HIV Epidemic Loan-Repayment Program (HELP) Act, on June 9.

On June 10, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) describing specifically what certain health care industry employers must do to protect their workers from exposure to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance on Thursday, May 13, that recommends that fully vaccinated individuals can stop wearing masks in most non-healthcare settings.

On May 26, Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced their plans to develop legislation to establish a federally administered public option for health coverage.

President Joe Biden put forward his proposed FY2022 budget on May 28, which would amount to approximately $6 trillion in government spending. The budget accounts for many of the provisions the President has detailed in his American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan.