AGD Capitol Connections

AGD submitted official comments to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on August 20, responding to certain aspects of OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for Occupational Exposure to COVID–19.

AGD joined Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC) members in sending letters to the House and Senate sponsors of S.1178/H.R.1854, the Reserve Employers Comprehensive Relief and Uniform Incentives on Taxes (RECRUIT Act).

On August 11, AGD and the AGD Foundation sent a letter in support of H.R.1550, the Promoting Resources to Expand Vaccination, Education and New Treatments for (PREVENT) HPV Cancers Act of 2021, to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington D.C. on August 23 to begin considering the adoption of a budget framework that would set the stage for their $3.5 trillion social spending and tax bill, a multi-year physical infrastructure package, and a voting rights bill.

The AGD and Wisconsin AGD sent a letter to the City of Madison Water Utility Board in advance of their August 25 meeting, and in support of community water fluoridation (CFW).

On August 18, the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) released Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) – the 5th version of the Healthy People initiative.

The House Energy & Commerce Committee sent oversight letters to nine health and dental insurance companies on August 13, seeking information on their policies and practices amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) responded to AGD’s letter sent on July 7, and welcomed open communications between the organizations.

On August 13, AGD sent a letter to Reps. Cindy Axne (R-IA) and Neal Dunn (R-FL) expressing support for their recently introduced legislation, the Eliminating the Provider Relief Fund Tax Penalties Act of 2020 (H.R.7819).

Governor Chris Sununu recently signed HB 1639 into law: legislation that addresses non-covered dental services, among other health care-related issues.

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) once again extended the deadline for both non-Medicaid and Medicaid/CHIP dental providers to apply for distribution under the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund to August 28, 2020.

AGD joined a coalition of stakeholders in sending letters to Administration officials and Congressional leadership that outline the importance of including a "healthy workplace" tax credit in the next COVID-19 relief package.

On July 31, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a second minibus FY2021 appropriations package that provided funding for Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy & Water Development, Financial Services & General Government, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-HUD (H.R.7617).

Over 180 organizations, including AGD, sent a letter to House Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) on August 4 that calls on them to ensure that expenses paid for with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are eligible for tax-deductibility.

President Trump signed Executive Orders on August 8 that delay the collection of payroll taxes, enact eviction protections, extend enhanced unemployment benefits, and provide student loan repayment options.