Oral Health Literacy Legislation Considered by House Committee
On November 17, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding a markup session for pending legislation, including the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act (H.R.4555).
H.R.4555 was introduced in July of this year by Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and was approved by the Energy and Commerce's Health Subcommittee on November 4. H.R.4555 amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase oral health literacy and awareness in specific at-risk populations through a multi-year public health education campaign. Through the campaign, HRSA will develop and implement evidence-based oral health literacy strategies that will be measured based on effectiveness and outcomes.
AGD has worked closely with the legislation's sponsors to have it advanced in Congress, and AGD's President, Dr. Bruce Cassis, DDS, MAGD, recently testified on the subject of oral health literacy and in support of the H.R.4555 at a recent Committee hearing on health legislation. The effort has been strongly supported by AGD's allies within the dental community, including many members of the Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC).
Pending approval by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee, H.R.4555 will be eligible to be voted on by the full U.S. House of Representatives.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD is also grateful that the House Energy and Commerce Committee is committed to working on this issue and has taken steps to advance H.R4555. Oral health literacy is one of AGD's key issues and was a priority during AGD's 2021 Virtual Hill Day event. AGD believes the enactment of H.R.4555 will positively contribute to more individuals seeking and obtaining regular dental care.
H.R.4555 was introduced in July of this year by Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and was approved by the Energy and Commerce's Health Subcommittee on November 4. H.R.4555 amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase oral health literacy and awareness in specific at-risk populations through a multi-year public health education campaign. Through the campaign, HRSA will develop and implement evidence-based oral health literacy strategies that will be measured based on effectiveness and outcomes.
AGD has worked closely with the legislation's sponsors to have it advanced in Congress, and AGD's President, Dr. Bruce Cassis, DDS, MAGD, recently testified on the subject of oral health literacy and in support of the H.R.4555 at a recent Committee hearing on health legislation. The effort has been strongly supported by AGD's allies within the dental community, including many members of the Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC).
Pending approval by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee, H.R.4555 will be eligible to be voted on by the full U.S. House of Representatives.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD is also grateful that the House Energy and Commerce Committee is committed to working on this issue and has taken steps to advance H.R4555. Oral health literacy is one of AGD's key issues and was a priority during AGD's 2021 Virtual Hill Day event. AGD believes the enactment of H.R.4555 will positively contribute to more individuals seeking and obtaining regular dental care.