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National LegislationAGD 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.
The Senate Finance Committee commenced on Sept. 22, 2009, with a markup of a draft health care reform bill introduced by Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.). The committee considered and approved one dental-related amendment during the week of Sept. 22–25. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), would allow standalone dental benefits packages to be offered on the health insurance exchange. Senator Stabenow’s amendment ensures that families who are satisfied with their current dental coverage will be able to keep it through any health insurance exchange.
Meanwhile, on the House side, the Energy & Commerce Committee agreed to approve additional amendments to its version of health care reform. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.-1) successfully included an amendment that would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit a report to Congress not later than one year after enactment of the health care reform legislation containing the results of a study determining the need and cost of providing oral health care to adults through the standard benefits package. Under the House bill, any health care plan that competes on the health insurance exchange must provide oral health services to anyone under the age of 21; the highest level plan (premium plus) must provide adult dental services. The Butterfield amendment would require the HHS Secretary to report on the need and cost of making adult dental care a required component of any health care plan on the insurance exchange.
Reps. Dianne DeGette (D-Colo.-1) and John Sarbanes (D-Md.-3) successfully included an amendment that would require the Health Benefits Advisory Committee to include “experts in oral health care.” The Advisory Committee recommends covered benefits for plans competing on the health insurance exchange and sends those recommendations to the HHS Secretary for approval. Prior to the DeGette/Sarbanes amendment, there was no requirement that an expert in oral health care be one of the members of the Advisory Committee.
Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD supports the Stabenow amendment to the Senate Finance bill. It will help to protect standalone dental benefits plans and ensure that beneficiaries will have the same protections that the legislation provides to beneficiaries of medical plans.
The AGD supports the concept of the DeGette/Sarbanes amendment, but has concerns that it does not specify that a dentist must be a member of the Advisory Committee. The AGD will track this matter closely.
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