Take sixty seconds to celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month | |
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Did you know that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? Every year, the dental community comes together to promote the importance of good oral healthcare to children, parents, teachers, and others. Take sixty seconds to review these tips promoting good oral health for children.
Is your chapter hosting a Give Kids a Smile event in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month? Email advocacydept@ASDAnet.org to be featured in an upcoming issue of Advocacy Brief!
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Advocacy webinar recording now available
If you missed our most recent advocacy webinar: From Resolution to Realization: How ASDA’s Policies Shape our Advocacy Efforts, the recording is now available to watch here on-demand. Prepare yourself for Annual Session by hearing from current national ASDA leaders talk about how ASDA’s policies come to be, and how we use them to advocate for the profession.
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2022 was a busy year for ASDA Advocacy
Click the image to look back on some advocacy highlights of 2022. We’re looking forward to another great year of #ASDAadvocacy!
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Biden administration defends student loan forgiveness
In the September 2022 issue of Advocacy Brief, we discussed President Biden’s announcement to relieve up to $10,000 or $20,000 for eligible borrowers. Since then, the plan has faced legal challenges and has been blocked from execution. Now, President Biden filed a legal brief with the U.S. Supreme Court defending its plan to cancel billions of dollars in student debt. Lawyers denied that the plan overstepped the administration’s authority and argued that the parties challenging the plan did not demonstrate harm. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on February 28.
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2023 state legislative sessions have begun across the country
Unlike Congress, many state legislatures only meet part-time throughout a portion of the year, with most in session with high activity from around January-May.
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Massachusetts’ medical loss ratio paves the way for other states
Until now, dental insurance plans have not been subject to the Affordable Care Act’s 80% medical loss ratio mandate for health plans. As reported in the November issue of Advocacy Brief, a Massachusetts ballot initiative required 83% of patient premium dollars in that state to be spent on patient care. The overwhelming vote in favor of this Massachusetts ballot initiative set off a storm of states across the country taking up the topic in their legislatures.
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In West Virginia, a bill has been introduced in both the state House and Senate discussing this topic of medical loss ratio for dental insurance companies. | |
In Nevada, a bill has been filed in the state Senate requiring dental insurance companies spend at least 80% of patient premium dollars on patient care, matching the state’s already existing requirements on medical care. | |
In Oklahoma, dentists plan to urge the legislature to adopt a medical loss ratio of at least 85%. Oklahoma’s new legislative session recently began on Feb. 6. | |
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Buffalo resumes optimal water fluoridation
In 2015, the New York Buffalo Water Board stopped adding fluoride to its water as it studied the potential impact that a new fluoride system could have on lead water pipes in the city. For years, the city’s water contained less than five times the CDC’s recommended concentration of 0.7 parts per million. Now, the city is facing criticism for not adequately notifying its residents of this change and the uptick in resident cavities. The results from the study indicated the upgraded fluoride system would not have a corrosive effect on Buffalo’s many lead pipes. Buffalo will resume adding fluoride to its water this year.
Why does it matter?
ASDA’s I-1 Fluoridation policy encourages the fluoridation of community water supplies at optimal levels as determined by the US Department of Health and Human Services. ASDA supports the use of fluoridated products as recommended by the CDC.
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Medicaid expansion discussions continue | |
To date, 39 states and DC have adopted Medicaid expansion to provide emergency dental services for qualifying adults, while 11 have not. Taking it one step further, many states in recent years have worked to expand or add additional dental benefits to provide more comprehensive care. Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Virginia have all recently added or expanded dental benefits for adults enrolled in Medicaid. | |
The following states are also making moves: | |
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In Utah, the state Senate voted in favor of a bill that would expand Medicaid dental benefits to all enrollees age 21 or older. Currently only blind, disabled, pregnant, in substance abuse programs, or other qualifying factors permit Utah Medicaid recipients to receive dental care. Now, the bill goes to the state House of Representatives.
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In Maryland, the Department of Health has filed a notice of proposed action that would add dental benefits for all adults enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program. | | |
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In Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services released a final proposed policy that increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental services performed in ambulatory surgery center and outpatient hospitals.
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In Connecticut, lawmakers have expanded Medicaid coverage to cover children ages 12 and younger regardless of immigration status.
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