AGD Capitol Connections

On July 15th, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) citing an uptick in coronavirus infections and deaths caused by the Omicron BA.5 subvariant.

AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and over 100 other health, medical, education, and community organizations in comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supporting proposed rules that would prohibit characterizing flavors in cigars and the use of menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes.

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.

In a letter led by the American Dental Association (ADA), AGD and 16 other dentist and health organizations called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to support the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act (S.3166/H.R.4439).

In a letter led by the American Dental Association (ADA), AGD and 11 other dentist and health organizations nominated Dr. Teresa Marshall to serve on the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in response to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Federal Register notice on June 15th (87 FR 36137).

On Tuesday, the Organized Dentistry Coalition sent a letter to House Education and Labor Committee Chair Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (R-NC), urging the Committee to advance several student loan reform bills and encouraging members on the Committee to cosponsor other student reform legislation pending before the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing a rule that would update its Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee Schedule to include expanded access to dental services deemed medically necessary under Medicare.

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.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced their intention to develop a proposed product standard establishing a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products.

The AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and other health, medical, education, and community organizations in a letter to House appropriators urging them not to include any provisions in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that would weaken FDA’s authority over tobacco products.

The House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill by a 32 to 24 vote last week.

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.

Last month, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued notice formally establishing the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and appointing Dr. Adam Russell as its Acting Deputy Director.

Earlier this month, AGD hosted an introductory meeting with Dr. Adam Barefoot, the newly appointed Chief Dental Officer (CDO) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will renew again in July for a period of up to 90 days.

AGD’s Hill Day is an opportunity for all AGD member dentists and dental students to meet with their members of Congress and shape policies that impact the field of dentistry.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the Medicare for All Act of 2022, sweeping legislation that would expand Medicare to every U.S. resident within four years of its enactment and overhaul the American healthcare system in favor of a government funded, single-payer system.

Dr. Adam Barefoot DMD, MPH, has joined the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as the agency’s Chief Dental Officer (CDO).

Last month, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued notice establishing the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule revising the quality standard for the amount of manufacture-added fluoride permitted in bottled water from 0.8 mg/L ppm to 0.7 mg/L ppm.