Lobby Day Highlights
Thank you to the hundreds of dental students who joined us in Washington, D.C. last month to meet with members of Congress and advocate for issues affecting the dental profession and the patients we serve. Some highlights from the weekend:
- 325 meetings with members of Congress.
- Nearly 50/50 split between Democrat and Republican offices.
- Representation from all 50 states + Washington, D.C.
- Nearly 600 attendees.
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Even if you couldn’t join us in-person, you can get involved virtually:
Send a letter to your legislator supporting the bills that we discussed with them in D.C.
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Sixty Seconds to Advocacy
SNEAK PEAK: On May 1, we’re announcing something BIG! But you’ll only find out if you’re signed up for text alerts. Tell your friends and sign up now to be part of the action!
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ASDA Responds to Senate HELP Committee’s Request
On March 20, ASDA along with 10 other dental organizations, sent a letter to leaders of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The letter was in response to the Committee’s request for more information on healthcare workforce shortages. Aligning with various ASDA policies including our H-2, F-4, and E-4 policies, the letter discusses four critical areas: the dental team, student debt, diversity, and underserved areas.
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Medicaid Dental Benefit Act Reintroduced
On February 28 and March 3, bills S. 570 / H.R. 1342, the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2023, were introduced to the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. ASDA has supported this bill for two consecutive years at Lobby Days 2022 and 2023. This bill ensures that all 48 million adults currently on Medicaid have access to comprehensive dental care by making adult dental benefits a requirement of all state Medicaid programs.
Why does it matter? ASDA’s H-2 policy supports evidence-based measures that are efficacious and sustainable in reducing barriers to care in underserved communities. These measures include, but are not limited to, early intervention, Medicaid expansion and co-location of health services.
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COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ending
The public health emergency (PHE), which has been in effect since March 2020, will end on May 11. Here are some examples of how it will affect dentists and the public.
- Vaccinations – Dentists will no longer be able to administer COVID-19 vaccines unless their state specifically authorizes them to do so.
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Medicaid – In 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act began providing enhanced federal assistance to help states with their Medicaid programs. In order for states to receive the funding help, states were required to keep Medicaid beneficiaries continuously enrolled in the Medicaid program. Now, 5 to 14 million people face losing coverage due to this continuous coverage ending. States will have up to 12 months to return to normal eligibility and enrollment operations. See “From the States” section below for more info.
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Telehealth - Many telehealth flexibilities will remain in effect through 2024, thanks to the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 (Omnibus). The Omnibus extended these flexibilities through Dec. 31, 2024, regardless of the status of the PHE.
- Access to COVID tests, vaccines and treatment - Free access to COVID testing, vaccines and treatment will end. Medicare beneficiaries will have to start paying for a portion of any tests. Medicaid will continue to pay for COVID tests that are ordered by a doctor, but each state will decide whether to cover at-home tests.
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Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) gave the Food and Drug Administration the power of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to streamline availability of new COVID-19 drugs. This power remains in effect until HHS decides to terminate it. If the emergency EUA ends, then any medications authorized under it such as Paxlovid may no longer be available. The drugs would have to receive full FDA approval to make it to market again.
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Global Dental Relief, a nonprofit providing free dental care to children around the globe, is seeking volunteers for programs in Nepal, Mexico, Guatemala, Cambodia, and more. Spring and summer trips are available. Global Dental Relief serves 22,000 children annually and has donated $4.5 million in dental care since the nonprofit was founded in 2001.
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State Medicaid Programs in Flux
For over three years, states were required to provide continuous enrollment in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in exchange for enhanced federal funding. This was part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
On April 1, 2023, states were permitted to begin disenrolling individuals from their state Medicaid programs. An estimated 5 to 14 million people are at risk of losing coverage, including some who are no longer eligible and others who still qualify, but will lose coverage due to administrative problems. Disenrollment plans vary from state to state, with some beginning disenrollment in April, while others will begin in May, June or July.
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Amid disenrollment plans, some states continue to expand Medicaid coverage while others take a step back. | |
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North Carolina
After years of debate, North Carolina became the 40th state to expand its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. This will open the program to adults with incomes up to 138% percent of the federal poverty level: about $41,000 for a four-person family. Around 600,000 adults in North Carolina are now expected to become eligible for coverage.
As of Advocacy Brief’s publishing date, only 10 states have not yet adopted a policy to expand Medicaid.
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Oklahoma and Mississippi
Oklahoma and Mississippi join the 28 other states providing postpartum Medicaid coverage for up to one year. In Oklahoma, postpartum coverage was previously only available for 60 days, but now has been extended to one year. An additional eight states are planning to implement a similar extension.
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Kentucky
Governor Andy Beshear vetoed a piece of legislation that would have ended dental, vision and hearing benefits for nearly 900,000 Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill sought to declare the state’s Medicaid expansion that went into effect on January 1 as deficient under the state’s emergency administrative regulations. However, legislators responded in the final days of the 2023 session to override the governor’s veto. The bill was passed on March 29.
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Affordable Care Act Celebrates 13th Anniversary
March marked the 13th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Currently, 40 million people are enrolled in health insurance purchased through the Marketplace or through Medicaid expansion, which was made possible because of the ACA.
Since the launch of HealthCare.gov, enrollment has regularly increased, with the current total being the highest recorded yet. Survey results indicate that all 50 states and DC have experienced substantial reductions in the uninsured rate since 2013, the last year before the ADA was implemented.
Some individuals who are disenrolled from Medicaid as described above may be eligible for enrollment through the ACA Marketplace. Between March 31 and July 31, 2024, a special enrollment period will open for people who are disenrolled from Medicaid.
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