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American Dental Education Association

Volume 1, No. 81, October 14, 2020

ADEA Advocacy in Action

This appears weekly in the ADEA Advocate to summarize and provide direct links to recent advocacy actions taken by ADEA. Please let us know what you think and how we might improve its usefulness.

 

Lost Clinic Revenue

Provider Relief Fund and user

August 11 – ADEA regarding Dental School Clinic Reimbursement

 

Other COVID Issues

Sep 22 – Joint regarding authorization of dental professionals to administer vaccine

Sep 4 – ADEA on Equitable Distribution of Vaccines

Aug 5 – Joint regarding COVID-19 Loan Programs

 

Dental School COVID Related Capital Needs

Sep 25 – Joint in Support of Supplemental COVID-19 Relief

Aug 5 – Joint Regarding Institutional Aid

 

Additional Resources

ADEA on State Advocacy

NHSC Service Loan Repayment Program and application

For a full list of ADEA Letters and Policy Memos, click .
CDC Releases Guidance on Airborne Coronavirus Transmission

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its long-awaited on the aerosolization of the coronavirus. The newly released guidance confirmed that the virus is airborne, and it emphasized that indoor, poorly ventilated areas are particularly conducive to transmission of the virus.

 

However, the new guidance was not as straightforward as the guidance initially released by the CDC, where the agency referred to the virus as being “an airborne virus.” Within days of posting the guidance confirming the transmission of the coronavirus via aerosolization, the CDC abruptly withdrew the guidance. The agency noted that the posted guidance was a draft version that had mistakenly been posted.

 

Instead, the new guidance states that the virus can “sometimes be spread by airborne transmission.” The CDC also notes that airborne transmission was not the primary mode of transmission, but that the virus was “spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet).”

 

One point that both the withdrawn guidance and the newly released guidance stressed was that being in a poorly ventilated, indoor area increased the risk of infection.

FDA Issues Tougher EUA Standards for COVID-19 Vaccines

 

The White House approved tougher standards proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. An EUA is a fast-track approval process requiring less safety and efficacy data and it is usually used in urgent situations “to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions…when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.” EUA are granted for limited use in limited situations.

 

Under the , the FDA will require makers of COVID-19 vaccine candidates to monitor their clinical trial participants for at least two months after administering their last shot. Only after a two-month monitoring period could the vaccine manufacturer apply for an EUA.

 

These new standards were proposed to calm the public’s concerns over the safety of any approved vaccines and to ensure that the manufacturers were fully aware of what the more stringent standards would be for EUA approval.

 

The FDA’s additional two-month monitoring requirement ensures that no vaccine would receive EUA approval until after the Nov. 3 election.
Redistricting Looms Over 2020 State Elections

 

Election season is in full swing, and while the presidential race and other federal campaigns are garnering most of the headlines, important elections are also being held at the state level. This year, nearly are being contested in 44 states, representing nearly 80% of state legislative seats nationwide. While every state legislative election year is important, this year is particularly important as many of those elected will be responsible for drawing new state legislative and congressional districts, through a process known as . Redistricting takes place once every 10 years after the release of decennial census data, and in many states, it is expected to be completed in 2021. State legislatures in , and in 30 states, they are also responsible for drawing new state legislative districts.

 

are also being held in 11 states. Prognosticators are predicting little change as 10 of the 11 seats are held by incumbents who are expected to win reelection. has the country’s only open governor’s seat this year in a tightly contested race between U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney (D). While the races in and are competitive, incumbents are expected to win in both states. In many states, governors also play a role in redistricting, as 33 have the power to veto district maps.

Delaware Begins Medicaid Adult Dental Coverage

 

On Oct. 1, Delaware began enrolled the state’s Medicaid program. The benefit will provide up to $1,000 in annual coverage for preventive and restorative treatment, and an additional $1,500 for emergency or supplemental care, when medically necessary. The that created the benefit required beneficiaries to pay a $3 co-pay, but Gov. John Carney (R) has temporarily suspended this requirement during the state of emergency declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

With implementation of this policy, Alabama and Tennessee are now the that provide no dental benefits to adults on Medicaid.
Red Cross Seeking Blood Donors

 

The American Red Cross provides about 40 percent of our nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. Yet, supply cannot always meet demand, since only about 3 percent of age-eligible people donate blood yearly.

 

Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting , calling 1-800-RED CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance. Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions including social distancing and face coverings for donors, volunteers, and staff. If you or someone you know have fully recovered from COVID-19, the Red Cross needs your help, to learn more go to:

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 and Advocacy

 

Phillip Mauller, M.P.S.

ADEA Director of State Relations and Advocacy

 

Brian Robinson

ADEA Program Manager for Advocacy and Government Relations

 

Higher Logic