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American Dental Education Association

Volume 1, No. 83, October 29, 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 portal [ [link removed] ] and user guide [ [link removed] ]
August 11 – ADEA letter [ [link removed] ] regarding Dental School Clinic Reimbursement
 
Other COVID Issues
Sep 22 – Joint letter [ [link removed] ] regarding authorization of dental professionals to administer vaccine
Sep 4 – ADEA Comments [ [link removed] ] on Equitable Distribution of Vaccines
Aug 5 – Joint letter [ [link removed] ] regarding COVID-19 Loan Programs
 
Dental School COVID Related Capital Needs
Sep 25 – Joint letter [ [link removed] ] in Support of Supplemental COVID-19 Relief
Aug 5 – Joint letter [ [link removed] ] Regarding Institutional Aid
 
Additional Resources
ADEA webinar [ [link removed] ] on State Advocacy
NHSC Service Loan Repayment Program user guide [ [link removed] ] and application portal [ [link removed] ]
For a full list of ADEA Letters and Policy Memos, click here [ [link removed] ] .

CDC Issues Two New Sets of Guidance
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued two sets of guidance. In the first guidance [ [link removed] ] , the CDC issued a strongly worded recommendation that masks be worn by both the public and employees on all forms of mass transportation and in stations, airports, depots and ports. The new guidance comes in light of evidence confirming the airborne nature of COVID-19 and evidence reaffirming the positive impact wearing mask has on stopping the spread of the virus.
 
With strong backing from the airline industry and unions, the CDC had initially wanted to issue the guidance using its quarantine powers, which would have mandated the use of masks on mass transportation and stations, airports, depots and ports. However, the CDC was unable to gain White House approval to do so.
 
The second guidance [ [link removed] ] expanded the definition of “close contact.” Previously, the CDC stated that sustained close contact—defined as within six feet of an infected or asymptomatic person, of more than 15 minutes—increased one’s risk of contracting COVID-19. However, the new guidance notes that the exposure does not have to be for a sustained period. Rather, the short intervals of time that one has exposure to a person infected with COVID-19 add up, and has a cumulative effect on one’s risk of contracting the illness. The definition change will impact the way health departments perform their contact tracing.

Oklahoma Issues RFPs for Medicaid Managed Care
 
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) is pushing for a plan to privatize the state’s Medicaid system [ [link removed] ] , and on Oct. 14, the state issued two requests for proposal [ [link removed] ] (RFP) for companies that wish to bid. One of the RFPs focuses exclusively on dental benefits, while the other is for companies that would manage care for most of the state’s beneficiaries.
 
According to Gov. Stitt and other supporters of the plan, transitioning to managed care will improve quality of care while also saving the state money, but the state’s hospital association and some in the state legislature have voiced concerns. The Oklahoma Hospital Association has issued a 13-page letter detailing its concerns, one of which is that a transition to managed care could cost the state nearly $650 million in supplemental payments due to a federal rule that cuts those payments for states that adopt managed care. Additionally, the Association states in the letter that there is no evidence that managed care would save the state money or result in improved care. Also, the state legislature appears to be divided on the issue. While the state’s Senate Majority Leader is in favor of privatized care, it is believed many Republicans and most Democrats in the legislature oppose the plan.

CMS Approves Oklahoma’s Tiered Medicaid Expansion
 
On Oct. 20, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved [ [link removed] ] a request by Nebraska to allow the state to implement a two-tiered Medicaid benefits package for its expansion populations. Regular readers of the ADEA Advocate may recall [ [link removed] ] that earlier this month it was reported Nebraska would begin enrolling beneficiaries into its Medicaid expansion program, but the state was waiting for CMS to approve or deny a waiver to allow the new program to go into effect.
 
Nebraska is now permitted [ [link removed] ] to move forward with its two-tiered plan. Under the plan, coverage in the upper tier, or the prime plan, includes benefits that are common for non-expansion Medicaid beneficiaries. Coverage in the lower tier, or the basic plan, does not include the full package of benefits, as it excludes dental, vision and over-the-counter medication. Coverage in the upper tier must be earned by beneficiaries who are not pregnant, medically frail or adults 19 to 20 years of age, through specific wellness activities [ [link removed] ] , and in 2022, by fulfillment of a work requirement.
 
Work requirements have been struck down by federal courts [ [link removed] ] in multiple states. It remains to be seen, however, if Nebraska’s two-tiered approach, which ensures a basic level of benefits for everyone in an expansion population, will be upheld.

DHS Proposes New Rule on Student Visa Duration
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking [ [link removed] ] that would change the amount of time a student visa is valid. Currently, most students are given a four-year visa. Under this proposed rule, some students would be given a two-year visa instead.
 
These proposed changes will impact some, but not all students. Many students will still qualify for a four-year student visa, while others—based on their country of origin and the visa overstay rate of their country of origin—may have to have their visas approved every two years.
 
ADEA, along with others in the higher education community, submitted comments to DHS in opposition to these rules. ADEA believes that the proposed changes to the rule may impact students’ decisions to study in the United States or impact a student’s course of study. ADEA is also concerned that proposing this rule during a global pandemic puts additional strain on institutions of higher education during an already challenging time.

Red Cross Seeking Blood Donations
 
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 RedCrossBlood.org [ [link removed] ] , 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: RedCrossBlood.org/Plasma4Covid [ [link removed] ]

ADEA State Calendar [ [link removed] ]

ADEA Washington Calendar [ [link removed] ]

ADEA U.S. Interactive Legislative and Regulatory Tracking Map [ [link removed] ]

Key Federal Issues [ [link removed] ]

Key State Issues [ [link removed] ]

The ADEA Advocate [ [link removed] ] 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
655 K Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
202-289-7201, adea.org [ [link removed] ]

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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
 
[email protected] [ [link removed] ]

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