Ask Your Senators to Cosponsor S.5073
Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) recently introduced S.5073, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2022, in the U.S. Senate.
Biden Extends Pause on Student Loan Repayment
With President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan temporarily blocked by a federal appeals court and set to go before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Department of Education announced an extension of the current pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections until June 30, 2023 or until the litigation is resolved.
Ask Your Senators to Cosponsor S.5073
Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) recently introduced S.5073, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2022, in the U.S. Senate.
AGD Calls on Congress to Increase OSH Funding
The AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and 69 other health, medical, education, and community organizations in a letter to congressional appropriators, urging them to fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) at $261.5 million for fiscal year 2023.
Ask Your Senators to Cosponsor S.5073
Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) recently introduced S.5073, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2022, in the U.S. Senate.
CMS Finalizes 2023 Physician Fee Schedule Rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized their Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee Schedule rule that expands access to behavioral health services, Accountable Care Organizations, cancer screenings, and dental services deemed “medically necessary” under Medicare.
AGD Urges the Senate to Take Up ELSA
The AGD recently signed onto an Organized Dentistry Coalition letter, urging leaders on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to include S.754, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), in any package scheduled to be taken up by the Senate before the end of the year.
AGD Supports Massachusetts Ballot Question 2
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Board approved a contribution of $50,000 from the AGD Advocacy Fund to support a statewide ballot initiative in Massachusetts — Question 2 — that would require dental insurance companies to spend at least 83% of premium dollars collected on dental services or refund the difference to patients.
Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Put on Hold
President Biden’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 of student loan debt for eligible Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 of debt for eligible non-Pell Grant borrowers who earn less than $125,000 annually ($250,000 for married couples) has been temporarily blocked by a federal appeals court.
AGD Leads Organized Dentistry Letter Supporting S.5073
The AGD led an Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC) letter supporting S.5073 the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2022. 19 national dental organizations signed onto the letter to endorse the legislation and advocate for the promotion of oral health literacy (OHL).
AGD Supports Massachusetts Ballot Question 2
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Board approved a contribution of $50,000 from the AGD Advocacy Fund to support a statewide ballot initiative in Massachusetts — Question 2 — that would require dental insurance companies to spend at least 83% of premium dollars collected on dental services or refund the difference to patients.
AGD Comments on WHO’s Draft Global Oral Health Action Plan
In a letter to the Chief Dental Officer of the World Health Organization (WHO), AGD outlined its positions on some of the topics covered under the WHO’s Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030) draft.
AGD Comments on CMS Rule to Expand Dental Coverage Under Medicare
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently proposed a rule that would update its Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee Schedule to include expanded access to behavioral health services, Accountable Care Organizations, cancer screenings, and dental services deemed “medically necessary” under Medicare.
AGD Responds to Advisory Committees’ Support for Dental Therapy
In a letter addressed to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the AGD expressed its deep concerns with recommendations put forward by the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry’s (ACTPCMD) 19th Annual Report.
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.
AGD Applauds FDA Plans to Reduce Nicotine in Tobacco Products
AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and over 70 other health, medical, education, and community organizations in a letter to Dr. Robert Califf, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to express support for the FDA’s recent announcement to develop a product standard that reduces nicotine levels in cigarettes to non-addictive or minimally addictive levels.
AGD Sends FY2023 Appropriations Request to Congress
Last week, the AGD sent a letter to Congressional appropriators on the House and Senate Labor, Health and Humans Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittees with recommendations for funding critical dental workforce and oral-related programs in FY2023 appropriations legislation.
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.
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.
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).
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to Renew in July
The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will renew again in July for a period of up to 90 days.
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.
Senator Sanders Introduces the Medicare for All Act
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the Medicare for All Act of 2022, sweeping legislation that would expand Medicare to every U.S. resident within four years of its enactment and overhaul the American healthcare system in favor of a government funded, single-payer system.
HRSA Welcomes New Chief Dental Officer
Dr. Adam Barefoot DMD, MPH, has joined the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as the agency’s Chief Dental Officer (CDO).
HHS Secretary Issues Notice Officially Establishing ARPA-H
Last month, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued notice establishing the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
FDA Issues Final Rule Revising Fluoridation Standards for Bottled Water
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule revising the quality standard for the amount of manufacture-added fluoride permitted in bottled water from 0.8 mg/L ppm to 0.7 mg/L ppm.
AGD Advocates for Increased Funding for OSH
The AGD joined 64 other health and community organizations in letters to House and Senate appropriators urging their respective committees to increase fiscal year 2023 funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) by $68.5 million for a total of $310 million.
Pause on Federal Student Loan Repayments Extended
The White House announced that a pause on federal student loan repayments will be extended through August 31, 2022.
White House Concludes Regulatory Review of Menthol Ban
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concluded its regulatory review of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that would ban menthol and other characterizing flavors in cigarettes and cigars.
AGD Leads Organized Dentistry Letter Promoting H.R.4555
The AGD led an Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC) letter urging the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to take up H.R.4555, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act.
AGD Urges FDA to Prohibit Menthol in Cigarettes
The AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and other health and medical organizations in a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fulfill its commitment to issue rules prohibiting menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars.
House Passes the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act
Last week, the House passed H.R.1916, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), by a 310-110 vote. ELSA would require all private group and individual health insurance plans to cover medically necessary services, including dental treatment, for patients with congenital anomalies.
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.
2022 NHSC Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
The 2022 National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC SP) is now accepting applications from health professional students studying to become dentists, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and physician assistants.
OSHA Reopens Docket on COVID-19 Healthcare Standard
Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it would reopen its existing public comment docket for the COVID-19 healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that expired on December 21, 2021.
Ask Your Senators to Support the DOC Access Act Today
S.1793, the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act, was introduced in the Senate by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).
President Biden Releases FY 2023 Budget Proposal
On Monday, President Biden sent his Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal for the U.S. government to Congress.
PREVENT Pandemics Act Undergoes Markup
S.3799, the PREVENT Pandemics Act is undergoing a markup by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee this week. The legislation is designed to prepare for and respond to existing and emerging viruses and other health threats.
Omnibus Funding Bill Includes AGD Priorities
Congress passed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package last week that would fund federal operations for the remainder of fiscal year 2022.
AGD Meets with Senators to Discuss Oral Health Literacy Bill
On Monday, AGD met with the offices of Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to discuss sponsoring H.R.4555, the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act.
AGD Thanks REDI Act Sponsors for Senate Introduction
The AGD thanked Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Boozman (R-AR) for introducing S.3658, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, in a letter addressed to their offices on Tuesday.
HRSA Continues Rollout of Phase 4 Provider Relief Fund Payments
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will issue $560 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 payments to more than 4,100 providers this week. The agency has issued nearly $11.5 billion in PRF Phase 4 payments and $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments.
CDC Publishes Updated Opioid Prescription Guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published proposed guidelines for prescribing opioids to treat pain in patients 18 years and older. The proposed guidelines mark the first update to the CDC’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain since 2016.
OSHA Prioritizing Permanent Workplace Standards for Healthcare Industry
In an interview with Bloomberg Law, Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA), described the enactment of a permanent COVID-19 workplace standard for the healthcare industry as OSHA’s most urgent rulemaking.
REDI Act to be Introduced in the Senate
Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Boozman (R-AR) plan to introduce the Senate companion to H.R.4122, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, this week.
AGD Discusses Partnership with HRSA Administrator
Last Thursday, AGD met with Administrator Carole Johnson of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to welcome the Administrator to her new role and reinforce AGD’s ongoing collaboration with the agency.
Biden Unveils COVID Relief and Stimulus Plan
On January 14, President Joe Biden delivered public remarks in which he detailed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal, the American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan will be the first piece of Biden’s two-part response to the pandemic.
HRSA Seeks Applications for Chief Dental Officer
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is currently recruiting for the position of Chief Dental Officer (CDO) within the Office of Special Health Initiatives.
HRSA Opens PRF Reconsideration Process for ARP Rural/Phase 4 Payments
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) opened the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Payment Reconsideration Process for American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural and Phase 4 payments on February 1, 2022 for a period of at least 45 days.
Education & Labor Leaders Urge Biden Not to Withdraw Healthcare Protections ETS
In a letter addressed to President Biden and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, Representatives Bobby Scott, Chair of the Education and Labor Committee, and Alma Adams, Chair of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, objected to the administration’s plan to withdraw most of its June 21, 2021 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring health care facilities to take steps to protect healthcare workers from exposure to COVID-19 while a more permanent standard is developed.
AGD Congratulates HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson
In a letter, the AGD congratulated Administrator Carole Johnson for her recent appointment to lead the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
VA Dental Care Expansion Bill to Undergo Markup
S. 3017, the Veterans Dental Care Eligibility Expansion and Enhancement Act, will reportedly undergo markup in the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs sometime in the near future.
CMS Issues New Guidance for Vaccine Mandate
In a ruling last Thursday by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), SCOTUS permitted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to resume enforcement of its interim final rule mandating COVID-19 vaccination for staff at covered Medicare and Medicaid facilities.
Build Back Better Act Faces Significant Roadblocks
The White House spent part of the holiday recess calling Democratic Senators in an effort to get the Build Back Better (BBB) Act, President Biden’s broad social spending package, back on track after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) came out against the legislation late last month.
EEOC Clarifies When COVID-19 May Be Considered A Disability
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its COVID-19 technical assistance, adding a new section to clarify when COVID-19 may be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act.
CMS Vaccine Rule Reinstated Across 25 States
Following a ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, a judicial stay on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) COVID-19 vaccine rule has been lifted in 25 states. CMS will move forward with its vaccine enforcement in the states and territories not enjoined by the court’s ruling.
Carole Johnson Named as HRSA Administrator
Carole Johnson will assume her role as the new Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) this month. Johnson most recently served as Testing Coordinator for the White House’s COVID-19 Response Team.