Help Support the AGD Advocacy Fund
The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.
President Biden Signs “Laddered” Continuing Resolution, Avoiding Government Shutdown
On November 16, 2023, President Biden signed a “laddered” continuing resolution (CR) into law, entitled the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 to avert a government shutdown as federal funding was set to expire on November 17, 2023.
Executive Order on The Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use Of AI
On October 30, 2023, President Joe Biden signed an executive order (EO) entitled, Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.
Senate HELP Committee Advances Nomination of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli for NIH Director
On October 25, 2023, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) Committee voted to advance the nomination of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli for Director for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by a vote of 15 to 6.
Representative Mike Johnson Elected as House Speaker and Moves Quickly on Legislative Agenda
On October 25, 2023, Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA-4) was elected as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. All 220 Republicans voted in favor of his Speakership and 209 Democrats voted against him. The successful vote follows three weeks of turmoil.
FDA Establishes New Advisory Committee on Digital Health Technologies
On October 11, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the formation of the Digital Health Advisory Committee to aid the agency in regulating the development and use of digital health technologies (DHTs), including artificial intelligence and machine learning.
AGD Urges HRSA to Evaluate and Revise HPSA Designation Programs
On October 16, 2023, the AGD sent a letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) urging the agency to evaluate and revise the existing dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) designation programs.
Historic Ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
On October 3, 2023, the House of Representatives voted to vacate the seat of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in a historic 216-210 vote. This marks the first time in history that a House speaker has been removed in this manner.
Government Shutdown Averted
On September 30, 2023, Congress passed a last-minute spending bill (H.R. 5860) averting a government shutdown. The 71-page bill was crafted by then House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
U.S. Faces Potential Government Shutdown
The U.S. is on the verge of a government shutdown, with Congress facing a September 30, 2023, deadline to pass appropriations bills to fund the government. There are several options for Congress and the President during high-stakes negotiations over funding the federal government as the fiscal year (FY) comes to an end.
House E&C Committee Held Hearing on Legislative Proposals to Prevent and Respond to Generic Drug Shortages
On September 14, 2023, the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee held a legislative hearing entitled Legislative Proposals to Prevent and Respond to Generic Drug Shortages.
Senate Help Committee Considers Primary Care and Health Workforce Legislation
On September 21, 2023, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) held a markup of legislative proposals intended to boost primary care access and reauthorize programs addressing maternal morbidity and mortality and pediatric cancer research. The committee voted in favor of all four bills.
Senator Cassidy Requests Information on Improving Health Data Privacy
On September 7, 2023, Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee, requested information from stakeholders on how to enhance the privacy protections of health data to safeguard sensitive information while balancing the need to support medical research.
Senator Cassidy Releases White Paper and Request for Information On AI
On September 6, 2023, Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a white paper on artificial intelligence (AI) and the technology's potential benefits and risks to society.
House Ways and Means Committee Seeks Broad Stakeholder Input on Addressing Chronic Disparities in Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Communities
On September 7, 2023, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) released an open letter to the health care community requesting comments and input on addressing disparities in access to health care.
Help Support the AGD Advocacy Fund
The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.
AGD exhibits at ALEC and NCSL Annual Meetings
In July, AGD exhibited at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Annual Meeting in Orlando and in August AGD exhibited at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.
DEA Final Rule on Dispensing Narcotic Drugs
On August 7, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a final rule entitled, Dispensing of Narcotic Drugs to Relieve Acute Withdrawal Symptoms of Opioid Use Disorder.
MATE Act Discussions
The Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021 is a law passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, focused on training for prescribers of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment drugs and requires health care providers, including dentists, to complete a one-time training on managing patients with SUDs as a condition of receiving or renewing a registration to prescribe controlled substances.
Congressional Outlook for August and September 2023
On July 28, 2023, both the House of Representatives and the Senate entered the summer congressional district work period colloquially referred to as "August recess", which is a month-long period in which Members of Congress leave D.C. to travel back to their home states and districts.