AGD Leads Organized Dentistry Letter Promoting H.R.4555
The AGD led an Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC) letter urging the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to take up H.R.4555, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act.
AGD Urges FDA to Prohibit Menthol in Cigarettes
The AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and other health and medical organizations in a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fulfill its commitment to issue rules prohibiting menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars.
House Passes the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act
Last week, the House passed H.R.1916, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), by a 310-110 vote. ELSA would require all private group and individual health insurance plans to cover medically necessary services, including dental treatment, for patients with congenital anomalies.
Urge the Senate to Take Up H.R.4555 Today
H.R.4555, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act, overwhelmingly passed the House by a 369-58 vote last year, but the Senate has yet to take up this important public health legislation.
OSHA Reopens Docket on COVID-19 Healthcare Standard
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it would reopen its existing public comment docket for the COVID-19 healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that expired on December 21, 2021.
2022 NHSC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
The 2022 National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC SP) is now accepting applications from health professional students studying to become dentists, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and physician assistants.
Ask Your Senators to Support the DOC Access Act Today
S.1793, the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act, was introduced in the Senate by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).
President Biden Releases FY 2023 Budget Proposal
On Monday, President Biden sent his Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal for the U.S. government to Congress.
PREVENT Pandemics Act Undergoes Markup
S.3799, the PREVENT Pandemics Act is undergoing a markup by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee this week. The legislation is designed to prepare for and respond to existing and emerging viruses and other health threats.
Omnibus Funding Bill Includes AGD Priorities
Congress passed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package last week that would fund federal operations for the remainder of fiscal year 2022.
AGD Meets with Senators to Discuss Oral Health Literacy Bill
On Monday, AGD met with the offices of Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to discuss sponsoring H.R.4555, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act.
AGD Thanks REDI Act Sponsors for Senate Introduction
The AGD thanked Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Boozman (R-AR) for introducing S.3658, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, in a letter addressed to their offices on Tuesday.
HRSA Continues Rollout of Phase 4 Provider Relief Fund Payments
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will issue $560 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 payments to more than 4,100 providers this week. The agency has issued nearly $11.5 billion in PRF Phase 4 payments and $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments.
CDC Publishes Updated Opioid Prescription Guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published proposed guidelines for prescribing opioids to treat pain in patients 18 years and older. The proposed guidelines mark the first update to the CDC’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain since 2016.
OSHA Prioritizing Permanent Workplace Standards for Healthcare Industry
In an interview with Bloomberg Law, Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA), described the enactment of a permanent COVID-19 workplace standard for the healthcare industry as OSHA’s most urgent rulemaking.
REDI Act to be Introduced in the Senate
Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Boozman (R-AR) plan to introduce the Senate companion to H.R.4122, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, this week.
AGD Discusses Partnership with HRSA Administrator
Last Thursday, AGD met with Administrator Carole Johnson of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to welcome the Administrator to her new role and reinforce AGD’s ongoing collaboration with the agency.
Biden Unveils COVID Relief and Stimulus Plan
On January 14, President Joe Biden delivered public remarks in which he detailed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal, the American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan will be the first piece of Biden’s two-part response to the pandemic.
HRSA Seeks Applications for Chief Dental Officer
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is currently recruiting for the position of Chief Dental Officer (CDO) within the Office of Special Health Initiatives.
HRSA Opens PRF Reconsideration Process for ARP Rural/Phase 4 Payments
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) opened the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Payment Reconsideration Process for American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural and Phase 4 payments on February 1, 2022 for a period of at least 45 days.