AGD Capitol Connections

On July 3, 2023, staff of Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) released a staff-level bipartisan discussion draft to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).

By the end of June most state legislatures have ended their sessions for 2023 and adjourned for the year. In addition to medical loss ratio legislation, dentists continued to advocate for insurance reform in the state capitols.

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.

On June 14, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing entitled, Examining Proposals that Provide Access to Care for Patients and Support Research for Rare Diseases.

This week Congress kicked off the fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations process with the first markups in the House. Each year, Congress aims to pass 12 separate appropriations bills to fund government programs.

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.

After the great success of Massachusetts Ballot Question 2 in November 2022, legislation dealing with medical loss ratios for dental insurers was introduced in twelve states this year and was enacted in Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada and is still alive in Rhode Island.

On May 15, 2023, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a request for comments on a draft recommendation and draft evidence review on screening and preventive interventions for oral health in adults.

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.

On May 16, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its Strategic Plan page to include a new Cross Cutting Initiative (CCI): Oral Health.

On May 22nd and 23rd AGD leaders from around the country descended on our nation's capital to petition their government on behalf of general dentists. Below are a few attendee highlights.

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.

On April 18, the AGD submitted a comment to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on their proposal to ban non-compete clauses. The proposed rule would affect one in five workers in the U.S. The AGD asked the FTC to immediately withdraw their proposal as many sections of the proposal require more research and development.

On May 1-3, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted the 2023 Quality Conference entitled, Building Resilient Communities: Having an Equitable Foundation for Quality Healthcare.

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.

On April 23, the AGD submitted a response to a Request For Information from Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks(IA-01) about reforming the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On April 13–14, 2023, the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held its April Public Meeting, including a session entitled, Access to Covered Dental Benefits for Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries: Panel Discussion.

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.

On March 29, 2023, the Senate Committee on Finance’s Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled, An Oral Health Crisis: Identifying and Addressing Health Disparities.

On March 29, the Senate passed HJ Res 7, which would terminate the President’s National Emergencies Act (NEA) declaration regarding the COVID-19 national emergency.