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American Dental Education Association

Volume 1, No. 55, March 31, 2020

States Provide COVID-19 Responses in Higher Education

 

As highlighted in last week’s edition of the ADEA Advocate, states are responding to COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of ways, and some of those responses have addressed issues that are specific to institutions of higher education. Short summaries of those policy changes and proposed policy changes can be found below.
New York
  • In , Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the state would halt the collection of student and medical debt owed to the state for at least 30 days. The announcement also stated that the accrual of interest and the collection of fees would be suspended while the policy is in place.
  • Also in New York, lawmakers filed that would require The State University of New York (SUNY) and The City University of New York (CUNY) schools to refund students for housing credits and boarding charges used or charged for the period of time when such schools are closed or shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maine

 

In , a bill was filed that would require a postsecondary educational institution that temporarily suspends classes and requires students, staff and faculty to remain off campus due to an infectious disease to develop a plan to compensate staff and faculty for lost income due to the temporary suspension. The bill also requires institutions to reimburse students any unused fees, as well as tuition, if classes are not conducted remotely or through an alternate method as determined appropriate by the institution. Finally, the legislation also requires the institution to develop a plan to allow some students to remain on campus and to provide housing and dining options to those students.

 

Massachusetts

 

In , lawmakers filed legislation to create a $125 million emergency fund that would provide grants to public institutions of higher education that could be used to cover employees' lost wages, expanded sick-time costs and other costs associated with their employment status as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The grants could also be used by public institutions to cover any loss of revenue, unexpected expenses, contributions, grants or other financial assistance.

 
Maryland

A bill in has been sent to Gov. Larry Hogan (R) that would require public institutions of higher education to submit an outbreak response plan to the Maryland Department of Health on or before Aug. 1 each year, beginning in 2021. The bill would also require public institutions to implement the outbreak response plan if there is an outbreak of a contagious disease.
Congress Passes Third COVID-19 Related Bill

 

Late last week, the U.S. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. On March 27, President Trump signed the bill into law. After passing this legislation, both Houses recessed for what is expected to be an extended time, probably until at least April 20.

 

Congress is not immune from the COVID-19 virus; four members of the U.S. House of Representatives and one Senator have tested positive. Several have self-quarantined.

 

The CARES Act, along with the other two COVID-19 related laws recently enacted, are far reaching in health care, higher education and economic stimulus. Below is a brief summary of a few CARES Act provisions. Please check upcoming editions of the ADEA Advocate, the , and for updates and more in-depth information about the implementation of the various provisions.

 

The CARES Act includes the following:

  • The bill provides $1.32 billion in supplemental funding for community health centers to prevent and treat COVID-19.
  • Health care professionals who volunteer their services during the coronavirus emergency are exempt from liability.
  • The authority for the National Health Service Corps and Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program is extended through November 2020.
  • Oral health training programs offering grants to programs providing dental education are reauthorized through 2025 at the current level of funding.
  • Student loan repayments and interest accrual are suspended through Sept. 30. This period will be treated as if on-time payments were made for purposes of federal loan forgiveness programs.
  • U.S. students attending foreign institutions that have shutdown would be eligible for student financial assistance for distance learning during the public health emergency; the provision is retroactive to March 1.
  • Finally, the U.S. Department of Education is given broad authority to waive, usually upon request, various regulatory and financial requirements on institutions.
Trump Administration Stops Collection Activity on Defaulted Federal Student Loans

 

The Trump Administration has on defaulted federal student loans until further notice. Private collection agencies have also been instructed to halt their collection activities, including calling borrowers and issuing collection letters and billing statements. The U.S. Department of Treasury has been ordered to cease garnishment of tax refunds until further notice for those who have defaulted on their federal student loans.

 

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will refund approximately $1.8 billion in collection payments to more than 830,000 borrowers. The refunds represent collection payments that were in the process of being withheld on March 13, 2020, the date President Trump declared a national emergency and announced emergency executive actions related to COVID-19

 

ED must rely on employers to make the change to borrowers’ paychecks, so it will monitor employers’ compliance with the request to stop wage garnishment. Borrowers whose wages continue to be garnished after March 13 should contact their employers’ human resources departments.

 

Finally, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the third coronavirus stimulus bill, was signed into law on March 27. This new law grants a six-month student loan payment deferment. It is not currently clear whether this deferment will be automatic or borrowers will have to apply for it. ED is working on implementation guidance.

Several States Vote to Expand Dental Benefits for Adults on Medicaid

 

One of the topics examined by several state legislatures this year was the addition or expansion of dental benefits for adults on Medicaid. The federal government requires dental benefits to be provided for children on Medicaid, . In recent weeks, several state legislatures voted to expand dental benefits for adults on Medicaid.

  • On March 25, Gov. Jim Justice (R) signed a that would provide up to $1,000 in preventative and restorative dental services for adult Medicaid beneficiaries. Under the state’s current Medicaid dental plan, adults only receive coverage for emergency services.
  • In , the state’s recently passed budget includes funding for a dental benefit for adults on Medicaid and authorizes the state’s Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to develop this benefit. The benefit must include preventive and restorative services and prohibits cosmetic or orthodontic services. DMAS is required to consult with a group of stakeholders in developing the benefit that must include the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, the Virginia Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association.
  • In , a bill was signed by Gov. Doug Ducey (R) on March 23 that requires the state to seek federal permission to add a dental benefit for adult Native Americans on Medicaid. The state is also considering legislation that would add a comprehensive dental benefit for who are on Medicaid.
Telehealth Visits Surge With CMS’ Expansion of Coverage

 

As previously reported in the ADEA Advocate, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently expanded access to telehealth visits for all Medicare beneficiaries as a tool to fight COVID-19. Initially, this benefit had been only for those in remote areas and the type of visits permissible were limited. By lessening emergency room visits, telehealth visits free-up frontline hospital workers and limit possible coronavirus exposure due to those visits.

 

Due to this change in Medicare coverage, telehealth visits have significantly nationwide over the past few weeks. For example, the Cleveland Clinic, which has hospitals in various parts of Ohio and Florida, averaged 3,400 telehealth visits per month, but so far in March, they have had more than 60,000 telehealth visits.

 

The convenience and widespread use of these visits make it likely that this trend will continue and expand to more private insurers well beyond the decline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The is published weekly. Its purpose is to keep ADEA members abreast of federal and state issues and events of interest to the academic dentistry and the dental and research communities.

 

©2020

American Dental Education Association

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B. Timothy Leeth, CPA

ADEA Chief Advocacy Officer

 

Bridgette DeHart, J.D.

ADEA Director of Federal Relations

 

Phillip Mauller, M.P.S.

ADEA Director of State Relations and Advocacy

 

Brian Robinson

ADEA Program Manager for Advocacy and Government Relations

 

Ambika R. Srivastava, M.P.H.

ADEA/Sunstar Americas, Inc./Jack Bresch Legislative Intern

 

Higher Logic