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American Dental Education Association

Volume 1, No. 31, September 17, 2019
California May Allow Medi-Cal to Reimburse for Silver Diamine Fluoride Application

 

On Sept. 9, the California State Assembly voted in favor of that would allow Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid provider, to reimburse service providers for the application of silver diamine fluoride when used as a caries-arresting agent. The legislation limits the benefit to children under the age of 6, persons with disabilities or other underlying conditions as well as adults who live in a licensed nursing facility or a licensed intermediate-care facility. Additionally, the bill allows for the reimbursement of this service when provided by a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice who meets the requirements described in the bill.

 

In the June 4 edition of ADEA Advocate, we reported that was vetoed by former California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in 2018, due to concerns related to the cost of providing the reimbursement. This year’s legislation attempts to limit costs by restricting the benefit to the populations mentioned previously, but the state’s Department of Finance is in opposition to the bill, believing it would allocate General Fund resources that should be considered for other priorities. The bill passed the Senate in May and will now head to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina Stumbles After Surprise House Vote to Override Budget Veto

 

Medicaid expansion in North Carolina is facing a steep uphill climb following a in the state’s General Assembly to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s (D) veto of the state budget. Cooper, who campaigned on a promise to implement Medicaid expansion, the legislature’s budget in July because it did not include provisions to expand Medicaid coverage to adults who earn incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. The override vote in the Assembly’s House of Representatives could be a to the Governor’s leverage to include Medicaid expansion in a budget deal as the Senate will only need one vote from a Democratic member to pass the override.

Appropriations Stall Again in Senate

 

The expected post-Labor Day fast start by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee did not happen. The Senate’s Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee was scheduled to markup its bill on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The markup was cancelled after the Democratic subcommittee members announced that they would offer an amendment that would have prohibited the Trump Administration from enforcing a ban on funding organizations that provide or refer person(s) to entities that provide abortion services. The path forward for the bill is uncertain. We will continue to keep you updated on developments.
NIDCR Discusses Relevant Scientific Research at September Meeting

 

On Sept. 9, the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council (NIDCR) met and covered a range of topics from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), such as possible scientific solutions to the opioid crisis to the monitoring of foreign researchers. NIDCR Director Martha Somerman, D.D.S., Ph.D., gave a report to the Council on research that spans several institutes and centers (ICs) across the NIH.

 

She noted that the Helping End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative is seeking scientific solutions to the opioid crisis in support of the Trump Administration’s efforts. She also said that fetal tissue research is coming under more scrutiny, requiring additional justification from researchers. Dr. Somerman noted that in some instances, what is allowed is somewhat unclear. Moreover, early stage investigators may not propose research involving fetal tissue.

 

Dr. Somerman said all ICs are cooperating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in its monitoring of foreign researchers in the United States. She noted that it is a very small percentage of researchers that have raised concern, but that the problem is, nevertheless, very real. There have been instances of shadow labs in foreign countries. One of the concerns is that it leads to overlap or overcommitment of funding and a distortion of the funding decisions.

 

In addition, the Council approved seven concepts for future research and heard presentations on “Gender Demographics on Oral Health Researchers” and “NIH Efforts to Combat Harassment”.

 

A webcast of the NIDCR meeting can be viewed, and more information is available .

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.

 

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American Dental Education Association

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B. Timothy Leeth, CPA

ADEA Chief Advocacy Officer

 

Bridgette DeHart, J.D.

Director of Federal Relations

 

Phillip Mauller, M.P.S.

ADEA Director of State Relations and Advocacy

 

Brian Robinson

Program Manager for Advocacy and Government Relations

 

Ambika R. Srivastava, M.P.H.

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

 

Higher Logic