Advocacy

National Legislation

AGD continuously monitors national legislation so that the organization can communicate the interest of the general dentist to interested parties. In addition, the organization maintains policies to communicate the AGD position when speaking to national legislators on the general dentists’ behalf.

AGD encourages its members to advocate on behalf of the profession as well. Review the current list of the AGD dental care and legislative policies to use in your communications with local lawmakers.

In addition, the AGD publishes updates on national legislation that may affect general dentists. Click on the links below to learn more about national legislation that the AGD is monitoring or view earlier legislative updates from the AGD by click on the archive link on the right.

October 2009 Archives 
  Dental Coverage in CHIPRA
  Overturning McCarran-Ferguson’s Antitrust Exemption Possible in Health Care Reform   Legislation to Provide Funding for Small Businesses
  IOM to Recommend Improvements to U.S. Oral Health Care Delivery System   Hearing Held on Legislation Proposing to Overturn McCarran-Ferguson
  GAO Report on State and Federal Actions to Increase Children’s Access to Oral Health Services   Bills Trying to Repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Antitrust Exemption for Insurance Companies
  “Public Option” Amendments Rejected by Senate Finance Committee   Dental-Related Amendments in House and Senate Committee Mark-Ups on Health Care Reform
  SBA Programs Extended

SBA Programs Extended

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On Sept. 23, 2009, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill (H.R. 3614) to temporarily extend programs operated by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The bill expands a program created earlier this year in the economic stimulus bill that offers "small business stabilization financing." Specifically, this program gives small businesses money to pay off existing loans; the SBA can issue or back loans of up to $35,000, which small businesses can use toward up to six months of payments on previous loans. Interest on such “stabilization loans” is fully subsidized and the loans do not have any payments due for the first year. Borrowers must repay the loans within five years.

 

Under the current program, stabilization loans may not be made to small businesses with a loan guarantee made before the enactment of the economic stimulus bill (February 17, 2009). H.R. 3614 reverses this limitation, meaning that the stabilization financing program would be available to small businesses with older SBA loan guarantees. The Senate is expected to consider H.R. 3614 in October.

 

Impact on General Dentists: While this is a relatively technical change, the expansion of the “stabilization financing program” will permit more small businesses to participate in the program and receive assistance to help in paying off qualifying loans.

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