FROM ASDA

ASDA advocacy in 2021

2021 was a busy year for ASDA Advocacy, including legislative activities and collaboration within organized dentistry. We are gearing up for another busy year ahead. Let’s make 2022 ASDA Advocacy’s best year yet!

Use our Advocacy 101 presentation template to educate your chapter on ASDA’s advocacy priorities.

Last call for Advocacy Certificate Program

You have 8 more days to submit your points in the Advocacy Certificate Program. Submit 8 points to earn a custom advocacy certificate and letter from the ASDA president.

FROM WASHINGTON

Biden set to address the nation

The 2022 State of the Union address is scheduled for March 1, 2022. It will be President Biden’s first State of the Union address given before the 117^th United States Congress. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris are expected to preside over the joint session, which would be the first time that two women sit behind the president during a State of the Union address.

The scheduled date is approximately one month later than usual. Since 1934, all State of the Union addresses have occurred in either January or February. The delay has been attributed to a number of reasons, including the current legislative calendar, the spread of COVID-19 and the US’s participation in the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Why is this important? State of the Union Addresses give presidents the opportunity to share progress of the past year and outline priorities for the year to come. In 2021, Congress took up various measures that will affect dental students now and in the future. Topics like student loans, Medicare and COVID-19 are matters that Congress and ASDA will continue to address.

Similarly, at ASDA’s Annual Session in Louisville next week, the ASDA president will give an address to reflect on our association’s accomplishments. Make sure you’re prepared for the weekend by reviewing the proposed resolutions that will be debated on the House of Delegates floor.

Budget discussions continue

State of the Union addresses usually lead into the next year’s budget request based on the president’s recommendations and Congressional priorities. The budget proposal kickstarts Congress’ work to pass 12 appropriations (subcommittee) bills before the next fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. Biden’s budget request for 2023 is anticipated to come shortly after his March 1 State of the Union address.

Currently, Congress has yet to reach a deal on overdue appropriations for the current fiscal year which began in October 2021. The government is operating under a stopgap funding measure that prevented the government from shutting down. This measure is scheduled to expire on February 18.

FROM THE STATES

Many states begin 2022 legislative session

Most state legislatures are now in full swing for 2022. This year, sessions are expected to be a little shorter than last, as most are in the second year of a two-year legislative session, and 88 of the country’s 99 state legislative chambers will hold elections this November. Bills are expected to be filed quickly and business to move rapidly.

Here are some bills of interest on the state level:

• Bills in Missouri, New Mexico, and New York that would create or expand already-existing student loan repayment programs for oral health professionals.

• Legislation that would authorize the practice of dental therapy in New York and Florida, and a bill in Washington that would remove laws that restrict dental therapists to only practicing tribal lands.

• Bills that expand licensure portability in Hawaii, Mississippi and Virginia, and a bill in Florida that would allow candidates for initial licensure to demonstrate clinical skills on a manikin rather than a live patient.

Advancements for adult Medicaid benefits

Medicaid is the single largest source of health coverage in the US, providing coverage for over 72.5 million people including low-income families, qualified pregnant women, individuals with disabilities and certain other groups. While every state is required to cover children, adult dental coverage is not required. Many states are considering Medicaid expansion and measures to provide care to more individuals:

A bill in Arizona would add dental benefits for pregnant adults enrolled in Medicaid.

The New Hampshire House has approved legislation that would expand adult dental coverage in the state's Medicaid program. New Hampshire has debated the addition of an adult benefit for several years, but funding concerns prevented implementation.

South Dakota House of Representatives approved HB 1103, which would require the state to provide a Medicaid reimbursement schedule for dental, optometric and chiropractic services. Currently, few dentists in South Dakota accept Medicaid enrollees as patients due to low reimbursement rates that often fail to cover costs.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's spending plan for the 2022-23 fiscal year includes $25.5 million to expand the state's TennCare Medicaid program to add dental benefits for adult beneficiaries. The proposed budget also would allocate $11.9 million to increase dental services and boost the number of dentists in the state.

Proposed legislation filed in Maryland would add a dental benefit for adults enrolled in Medicaid. While Maryland currently provides dental coverage for a limited number of dual eligible adults under a pilot program, it is one of only three states that provides no coverage for other adult enrollees.

Why is this important? ASDA’s E-12 policy encourages all U.S. CODA-accredited dental schools to accept Medicaid at their respective clinics.

Advocacy Brief Challenge: A piano.

Contact advocacydept@ASDAnet.org with any questions.

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