Urge the Senate to Take Up H.R.4555
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.
HHS Publishes Report on Medicaid Enrollment Under the COVID-19 PHE
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released a report highlighting current projections for the number of individuals predicted to lose Medicaid coverage at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration.
Biden Announces Student Loan Relief Plan
Last week, President Biden announced a three-part plan to extend the student loan repayment pause one final time, cancel up to $20,000 of student loan debt for eligible borrowers, and “make the student loan system more manageable” for current and future borrowers.
Urge the Senate to Take Up H.R.4555 Today
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.
HHS Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
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 Comments on Proposals to Prohibit Tobacco Flavors
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.
AGD Files Comments on OSHA’s COVID-19 Healthcare ETS
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.
Dentistry Coalition Support Legislation to Incentivize Hiring of Service Members
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).
AGD and AGD Foundation Call for Vote on the PREVENT HPV Cancers 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).
House Returns from Recess to Vote on Budget Resolution
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.
In the States
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).
HHS Releases Healthy People 2030
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.
House Committee Initiates Investigation into Health & Dental Insurers
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.
AGD Initiates Dialogue with the National Association of Dental Plans
The National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) responded to AGD’s letter sent on July 7, and welcomed open communications between the organizations.
AGD Thanks Sponsors of Provider Relief Fund Tax Deductibility Bill
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).
In the States
Governor Chris Sununu recently signed HB 1639 into law: legislation that addresses non-covered dental services, among other health care-related issues.
HHS Extends Dental Provider Relief Fund Application Deadline
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 Urges Congress and Administration to Create "Healthy Workplace" Tax Credit
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.
House Passes FY2021 Minibus Funding 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).
AGD Joins Broad Coalition to Advocate for PPP Loan Forgiveness Deductibility
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.