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.
AGD Asks Congress to Support the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act
In a letter led by the American Dental Association (ADA), AGD and 16 other dentist and health organizations called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to support the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act (S.3166/H.R.4439).
AGD Nominates Dr. Teresa Marshall to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
In a letter led by the American Dental Association (ADA), AGD and 11 other dentist and health organizations nominated Dr. Teresa Marshall to serve on the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in response to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Federal Register notice on June 15th (87 FR 36137).
ODC Urges House to Advance Student Loan Reform Bills
On Tuesday, the Organized Dentistry Coalition sent a letter to House Education and Labor Committee Chair Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (R-NC), urging the Committee to advance several student loan reform bills and encouraging members on the Committee to cosponsor other student reform legislation pending before the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees.
CMS Proposes Rule Expanding Dental Coverage Under Medicare
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing a rule that would update its Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee Schedule to include expanded access to dental services deemed medically necessary under Medicare.
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.
FDA Announces Intention to Establish Nicotine Standard, Ban of JUUL Products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced their intention to develop a proposed product standard establishing a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products.
AGD Joins Letter to Appropriators on Tobacco-FDA Provisions
The AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and other health, medical, education, and community organizations in a letter to House appropriators urging them not to include any provisions in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that would weaken FDA’s authority over tobacco products.
House Appropriations Bill Includes Dental Priorities
The House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill by a 32 to 24 vote last week.
Bill Introduced to Provide Consistent Adult Dental Benefit Through Medicaid
On July 19, Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) introduced the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act (H.R.4439), which would require all state Medicaid programs to provide mandatory adult dental and oral health services.
House Appropriations Committee Advances 2022 Funding Bills
The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2022 funding legislation on July 15 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS). As anticipated, the Committee has included funding for vital oral health-related programs and provisions in the FY2022 Labor-HHS package (H.R.4502).
New Medicare Dental Expansion Proposals Introduced in Congress
The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act (H.R.4311) from Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and the Medicare Dental Coverage Act (H.R.4650) from Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) were both recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both bills would expand Medicare Part B coverage to include comprehensive dental and oral health services.
AGD-Backed Oral Health Literacy Legislation Reintroduced in the House
On July 20, Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) reintroduced H.R.4555, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2021.
AGD and Allies Urge Congress to Protect FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products
A broad coalition of health stakeholders led by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids sent a letter on June 30 to the leaders of the House Committee on Appropriations urging them to oppose any efforts to weaken FDA’s authority over cigars or any other tobacco products. The coalition included AGD along with other groups like ADA, AMA, and the American Lung Association.
Joint Dentist-Physician Support Letter for the REDI Act
AGD joined a coalition of dentist and physician organizations in sending a letter thanking the sponsors of the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, H.R.4122. This effort was spearheaded by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).
HHS Opens Provider Relief Fund Reporting Portal
Providers who received Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments during Reporting Period 1 (April 10, 2020 – June 30, 2020) are now able to submit post-payment reporting process information through the PRF Reporting Portal. These providers have until September 10, 2021, to complete the reporting process.
AGD Members Virtually “Travel” to Capitol Hill to Advocate for General Dentistry
On July 13, AGD advocacy leaders gathered for AGD’s 2021 Virtual Hill Day event to meet with their members of Congress and discuss AGD priority legislative issues.
In the States
The AGD has worked diligently with constituents to help address issues during the COVID-19 emergency.
House Committee Advances NEMT Legislation
On July 15, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a legislative markup session to approve several pending bills, including H.R.3935, the Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act.
HHS Extends Dental Provider Relief Fund Deadline
The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently 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 3, 2020.