AGD Capitol Connections

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.

The AGD joined 64 other health and community organizations in letters to House and Senate appropriators urging their respective committees to increase fiscal year 2023 funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) by $68.5 million for a total of $310 million.

The White House announced that a pause on federal student loan repayments will be extended through August 31, 2022.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concluded its regulatory review of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that would ban menthol and other characterizing flavors in cigarettes and cigars.

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.

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.

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.