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American Dental Education Association

Volume 1, No. 91, December 15, 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.

 

Dental School COVID Related Capital Needs

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

Aug 5 – Joint Regarding Institutional Aid

 

Other COVID Issues

Nov 30 – Sign-on regarding Voices of the Pandemic

Nov 20 – ADEA to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

Nov 20 – Joint in support of Borrower Relief extension

 

Additional Resources

ADEA on State Advocacy

NHSC Service Loan Repayment Program and application

For a full list of ADEA Letters and Policy Memos, click .
FDA Approves Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use, 2.9 Million Doses Shipped to States

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) vaccine advisory panel approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by a 17-to-4 vote with one member abstaining. Soon after the advisory panel’s approval, the FDA issued the finalized EUA. Within 48 hours of the EUA being issued, the federal government shipped 2.9 million doses to states.

 

During the advisory panel’s meeting, members expressed concern over the limited amount of data on 16- and 17-year-olds’ response to the vaccine. Given the limited amount of data, it was difficult to determine how much the vaccine would help them, but the advisory panel concluded that the benefits outweighed the risks for this age group. Members also discussed the two serious allergic reactions to the vaccine reported in Great Britain. British regulators are now recommending that people with a history of anaphylactic allergic reactions to medicines and foods not get the vaccine. The advisory panel asked Pfizer to conduct a separate study of people with a history of severe allergies so that this side effect could be better understood and addressed.

 

Pfizer’s clinical trial will continue even after its vaccine is granted an EUA. The company plans to apply for full FDA approval in April 2021, after it has collected six months of safety data.

 

Though the federal government shipped 2.9 million Pfizer vaccine doses to states, 2.9 million will be held back for booster shots, which are given three weeks after the first dose. The remaining 500,000 of the available 6.4 million doses are to be held in reserve in case they are unexpectedly needed.
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Appeal on Medicaid Work Requirements

 

On Dec. 4, to hear an appeal from the Trump administration regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services use of to allow states to implement work requirements in Medicaid programs. As , the fight in federal courts over work requirements has been ongoing for the past two years, and federal justices in lower courts have struck down the requirements in multiple states.

 

The Supreme Court is likely to hear oral arguments early next year and decide later in the Spring. However, it is unlikely a ruling in favor of the Trump administration will have much impact over the next four years. The incoming Biden administration has indicated that it will not approve additional requests by states to implement work requirements and may revoke those that have already been approved. The court’s ruling, however, may have an impact on successive administrations that wish to implement work requirements.

Vaccination Plans Vary Among States

 

Following the recent approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, states are beginning to add more detail to their varied vaccination plans. While the federal government will grant approval and distribute vaccines to states, , and deciding how to best prioritize the limited supply. While , these are works in progress that will change as more information about supply and distribution of the vaccinations becomes available. These state plans can vary significantly in detail and the groups prioritized.

 

ADEA AGR will continue to monitor development of these plans and will work to keep ADEA members informed.
Trump Administration Extends Student Loan Relief for One Additional Month

 

The Trump administration has . Student loan relief was set to expire on Dec. 31, but now it will expire on Jan. 31, 2021.

 

Like the past extension, this extension continues the freeze on monthly payments and on interest. Non-payments will continue to count toward the number of payments required under an income-driven repayment plan, a loan rehabilitation agreement or the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Additionally, wage garnishments for borrowers with defaulted federal student loans will continue to be prohibited, and any defaulted borrowers who continue to have their wages garnished will receive refunds.

 

Further extension of student loan relief is part of the ongoing negotiations surrounding an additional COVID-19 relief package, which remains stuck in Congress.

Biden-Harris Inauguration Information

 

President-elect Joseph Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ inauguration will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. The Biden-Harris inauguration will likely be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. However, those interested in attending the festivities can find additional details .

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