Help Support the AGD Advocacy Fund
The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Considers Dental Health
On June 14, 2023, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing entitled, Examining Proposals that Provide Access to Care for Patients and Support Research for Rare Diseases.
FY 2024 Appropriations Process Begins
This week Congress kicked off the fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations process with the first markups in the House. Each year, Congress aims to pass 12 separate appropriations bills to fund government programs.
Medical Loss Ratios for Dental Insurers
After the great success of Massachusetts Ballot Question 2 in November 2022, legislation dealing with medical loss ratios for dental insurers was introduced in twelve states this year and was enacted in Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada and is still alive in Rhode Island.
USPSTF Releases Draft Oral Health Preventative Care Recommendations
On May 15, 2023, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a request for comments on a draft recommendation and draft evidence review on screening and preventive interventions for oral health in adults.
Help Support the AGD Advocacy Fund
The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.
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 Secretary Appoints Dr. Adam Russell to ARPA-H
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.
AGD Welcomes CDO Barefoot to HRSA
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).
Register Now for AGD’s Virtual Hill Day
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.
AGD Leads Organized Dentistry in Support of Bill to Improve Dental Care for Foster Youth
AGD led a coalition of 15 dental organizations in sending a letter of support to Representative Karen Bass (D-CA) on June 28 for her bipartisan legislation, the Foster Youth Dental Act of 2021 (H.R.1794).
Bill to Assist New Dentists with Student Loan Debt Reintroduced
On June 24, Rep. Brian Babin, DDS (R-TX), reintroduced the bipartisan Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act (H.R.4122).
Register for AGD Virtual Hill Day
AGD Hill Day is an opportunity for member dentists and dental students to meet with their members of Congress and discuss AGD priority legislative issues. This year, the event will be entirely virtual, beginning with guest speakers and advocacy training on Thursday, July 8, and Virtual Hill Day meetings on Tuesday, July 13.
Legislation Introduced to Authorize Funding for Primary Care Medical and Dental Residency Programs
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, recently introduced the Doctors of Community (DOC) Act (H.R.3671/S.1958), which would authorize substantial funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program through 2033.
Updated Provider Relief Fund Reporting Guidance Issued
On June 11, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued revised reporting requirements (press release) for health care providers who received funding from the Provider Relief Fund.
AGD Supports Bill to Assist HIV Health Workforce with Student Debt
AGD sent a letter of support to Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), thanking her for reintroducing H.R.2295, the HIV Epidemic Loan-Repayment Program (HELP) Act, on June 9.
OSHA Releases COVID-19 Protection Standard for Health Care Settings
On June 10, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) describing specifically what certain health care industry employers must do to protect their workers from exposure to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
CDC Updates Guidance on Mask Wearing for Fully Vaccinated People
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance on Thursday, May 13, that recommends that fully vaccinated individuals can stop wearing masks in most non-healthcare settings.
Congressional Democrats Seek Input on Public Health Insurance Option
On May 26, Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced their plans to develop legislation to establish a federally administered public option for health coverage.
President Biden Releases FY2022 Budget
President Joe Biden put forward his proposed FY2022 budget on May 28, which would amount to approximately $6 trillion in government spending. The budget accounts for many of the provisions the President has detailed in his American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan.