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American Dental Education Association

Special Election Coverage
 
The ADEA Government Relations team has been at work unpacking the results of the 2020 Presidential Election. This is the second issue of our special election coverage, which will focus on state election results. As always, we look forward to our readers’ comments and encourage you to reach out with your thoughts. You feedback is always welcome.

Volume 1, No. 86, November 17, 2020

Republicans Pick Up New Hampshire Legislature, But Little Change in State Legislative Control
 
Hopes among Democrats for a “blue wave [ [link removed] ] ” in state legislative elections were dashed on election night as there was little change in party control [ [link removed] ] of state legislatures, and Republicans actually flipped the House and Senate in New Hampshire [ [link removed] ] . According to the National Conference for State Legislatures, this election cycle has been unusual [ [link removed] ] as an average of 12 chambers flip control every cycle. This cycle, which includes 2019 legislative elections, only saw flips of four legislative chambers in two states: Virginia and New Hampshire. As the wait for results in Arizona continues, Republicans hold control of legislatures in 29 states, Democrats control 18 and Minnesota is the country’s only split legislature.

Ballot Measures
 
Several ballot measures relevant to health and education were considered by voters in multiple states.
 
In California [ [link removed] ] , voters rejected Proposition 16, a measure that would have repealed the state’s 24-year ban on affirmative action by allowing public entities to consider race, ethnicity and gender during admissions, hiring and the awarding of contracts. Some have speculated that the measure may have failed despite social signals that the timing may be right for such an appeal, due to possibly confusing language on the ballot measure.
 
Colorado [ [link removed] ] will increase existing tobacco taxes and create new taxes for vaping and additional tobacco products with the passage of Proposition EE. The tax increases and newly created taxes are expected to generate $175.6 million in revenue during the 2021-22 budget year, and $275.9 million yearly when the tax is fully phased in during 2027. The increased revenue [ [link removed] ] would initially be used to maintain the K-12 funding lost because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2023, the revenue would be used to pay for universal preschool.
 
Oregon [ [link removed] ] also voted to increase existing tobacco taxes, while creating new taxes on e-cigarettes and vaping products. The revenue generated from the new tax is expected to be around $130 million and is directed to be used for public health programs, including smoking prevention and cessation.
 
Finally, voters in Oklahoma [ [link removed] ] rejected a ballot initiative that would have redirected funds from the state’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Fund to help pay for the state’s share of its recently passed Medicaid expansion program [ [link removed] ] . While the federal government will pay 90% of expenses for Medicaid expansion costs, states are responsible for the remaining 10%. The measure was supported by Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) and other Republicans, but it was opposed by health care associations [ [link removed] ] who argued that taking money away from the Fund, which is used to pay for smoking cessation and prevention programs, could harm citizens in the state by diverting funds from other public health programs.

No Surprises in Gubernatorial Races, and Republicans Pick Up Montana
 
There were no surprises in this year’s gubernatorial elections. As expected, incumbent governors won reelection [ [link removed] ] in every race across the country that featured an incumbent. Only two races, Montana and Utah, did not have an incumbent. As expected, Utah elected Republican Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox to replace outgoing Gov. Gary Herbert (R). In Montana, this year’s only pre-election toss-up, Republican candidate Greg Gianforte defeated Democrat Mike Cooney by nearly 12 percentage points—a margin of victory that was perhaps the election’s only true surprise. Gianforte’s election represents a flip for Republicans as the state’s current Gov. Steve Bullock is a Democrat.
 
As there were relatively few changes in party control, it is unlikely major policy changes will be driven exclusively by state level policymakers at this time. With a change in the Presidency however, states could begin to make changes to policies that require state and federal cooperation. For instance, one issue to keep an eye on is Medicaid expansion in North Carolina [ [link removed] ] . Re-elected Gov. Roy Cooper (D) has been in a battle with the Republican-controlled legislature over the adoption of expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act for several years. While a Medicaid expansion plan is not expected to move forward any time soon as many expect a continued stalemate, some have speculated that a Biden administration could pressure or incentivize the state to adopt expansion. Similarly, it is unlikely a Biden administration would continue to approve Medicaid work requirements [ [link removed] ] , continue pursuing lawsuits to uphold [ [link removed] ] work requirements that were struck down in courts, or approve partial Medicaid expansion plans like those recently approved in Georgia [ [link removed] ] .

Proposed Iowa Rule Would Allow Manikin-based Exams for Dental Licensure, Require Patient-based Exams for Dental Hygienists
 
While last week was dominated by election news, at least one state proposed a major change to clinical exam requirements for dental licensure. The Iowa Dental Board recently filed a proposed rule [ [link removed] ] change that would allow candidates for dental licensure to complete manikin-based exams to fulfill clinical testing requirements needed for licensure. Candidates could pass either the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, Inc., (CRDTS) a manikin-based examination as administered by CRDTS, or the American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc., a manikin-based examination as administered by the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments.
 
The proposed rule would also eliminate a requirement for dental and dental hygiene applicants to obtain a score of 75% on a clinical exam before being granted a license. Applicants would only be required to obtain a passing score.
 
For dental hygienists, the rule would add language requiring a patient-based exam.
 
A public hearing on the rule is not scheduled at this time, but written comments must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Time on Nov. 30, 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] ] .

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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