FROM ASDA

Advocacy event funding now available

Using money that they received from the 2021 Legislative Grassroots Network (LGN) grant, students at Case Western recently held their Advo-cake event where past District 6 Trustee Tommy Lau facilitated a discussion on ASDA’s current legislative priorities while attendees enjoyed a sweet treat.

Do you have an idea for an advocacy event you want to coordinate at your chapter? Applications are now open for the 2022 LGN event grant through Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

ASDA and others continue to support student debt relief

Over the past few weeks, ASDA has signed onto two coalition letters advocating for legislation that helps reduce the burden of student debt. One letter focused on the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act – a bill that would allow borrowers to defer student loan payments, interest-free, during residency. ASDA has supported this legislation since 2019 through letters to Congress, action alerts, and at Lobby Day. The other letter addressed a total of eight bills currently in Congress that target various aspects of student debt. ASDA has directly supported many of these bills in the past as well.

Ever wonder how ASDA determines our support for these issues?

Did you know that ASDA is a part of the Organized Dentistry Coalition (ODC) with about 25 other organizations? The purpose is to demonstrate organized dentistry’s strength in numbers when lobbying issues to Congress. When the ODC circulates letters for support, ASDA’s national Council on Advocacy and Executive Committee determine if ASDA will support the letter based on existing policies and position statements. For example: the two letters mentioned above align with ASDA’s F-4 student debt policy, so ASDA demonstrated our support by signing onto the letters.

FROM WASHINGTON

Student loans still in the spotlight

In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) implemented a suspension of all required loan payments, stopped collections on defaulted loans, and applied a 0% interest rate because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the deadline for these measures has been extended six times, with the newest extended deadline approaching on August 31. Student loan servicers now say they have been instructed by the ED to hold off on sending billing statements, indicating the deadline may be extended again. However, no official statement has come from the White House as of August 10, 2022.

Other student loan deadlines approaching

With the payment freeze pending, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program’s limited waiver is also expiring. The ED is reminding borrowers who have worked for a qualifying public service employer to apply before the Oct. 31 deadline. This limited waiver expanded the rules for PSLF and made it easier for borrowers to benefit. See complete details here.

New bill addresses student loan concerns

Amid these deadlines, a new bill has been introduced that aims to fix claims of longstanding problems with the PSLF program. The Second Chance at Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act calls for provisions in the PSLF waiver to be codified* and for previously raised issues with PSLF, such as low acceptance numbers, to be addressed.

In the July issue of Advocacy Brief, we highlighted President Biden’s proposal of sweeping changes to the federal student loan system. Final rules will go into effect no later than July 1, 2023.

*Codified: To arrange laws or rules into a systematic code. The process arranges existing law, usually by subject, into a code.

Why does it matter? One of ASDA’s key priorities is the growing student debt crisis. As mentioned above, ASDA’s F-4 policy supports initiatives like the PSLF program, as well as legislation like the Second Chance at Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act, to reduce the burden of debt for dental students.

FROM THE STATES

Oklahoma expands Medicaid program, including dental benefits

Nearly 300,000 people in Oklahoma now have health insurance, decreasing the uninsured rate from 14% to 9%, through their state’s Medicaid program. Prior to the expansion one year ago in July 2021, residents were required to make less than 45% of the federal poverty level to qualify for Medicaid (approximately $6,000/year). Now, Oklahomans between the ages of 19-64 who make less than 138% of the federal poverty level (approximately $18,000/year) are eligible for Medicaid coverage.

New with the expansion, all adult Oklahoma Medicaid recipients are also now eligible for preventive and restorative dental care like cleanings, fillings, exams, and dentures. This expansion is a victory in addressing Oklahomans’ barriers to dental care problem, but more work is needed to ensure Oklahomans have access to the dental care they need.

What else can be done? Turn this topic into a Lunch & Learn at your school with ASDA’s Barriers to Care presentation.

Virginia budget increases reimbursement for Medicaid dental services

A predominant reason why some dentists do not accept Medicaid patients is because they do not receive adequate reimbursement for services provided. Private insurance companies can typically pay up to double the amount for the same procedures. In Virginia, however, dental providers will soon receive more money for services provided to Medicaid patients, as the state’s recently signed budget includes a 30% increase in reimbursement rates. This is another victory in addressing barriers to care across the country!

Confused about the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? Click the image to the right.

As reported in July’s issue of Advocacy Brief, there is a federal bill in Congress called the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act, which would require all states to include adult dental benefits in their Medicaid program. Because each state handles Medicaid differently, federal legislation could help address health inequities across state lines. Help advance this bill by sending an ASDA Action letter urging your Congressperson to support this bill.

Email advocacydept@ASDAnet.org to feature your chapter’s advocacy event, or with any questions.

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