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American Dental Education Association

Volume 1, No. 98, February 16, 2021

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.

 

COVID Related Capital Needs

Feb 12 – ADEA regarding vaccines at the state level

Jan 28 – Sign on regarding HEERF Grants

 

Other COVID Issues

Jan 4 – ADEA regarding vaccine allocation

Jan 4 – ADEA regarding Provider Relief Fund

Jan 4 – Joint regarding COVID-19 policy changes

 

Additional Resources

ADEA on State Advocacy

NHSC Service Loan Repayment Program and application

For a full list of ADEA Letters and Policy Memos, click .
COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus Legislation

 

Congress has begun work on the broad Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan. Committees in the House of Representatives have been marking up legislative provisions that will be combined into one bill for consideration by the full House. The Senate will begin its work on the package at the conclusion of the impeachment trial.

 

Included are provisions offering in grants to institutions of higher education, one-half of which must be spent on student aid. Another House committee has included a provision that would increase each state’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) under Medicaid by an additional . When added to the increase of 6.2% already added last year, this would increase the federal portion of cost sharing to 11.2%. This will incentivize states to expand Medicaid coverage or maintain current levels.

 

In addition, are included that will allow the FMAP to pay 100% in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) of the cost of COVID-19 vaccination with no copay by the beneficiary. Another provision allows states to extend CHIP eligibility for women to 12 months postpartum for five years.

States Move to Allow Oral Health Professionals to Administer Vaccines for COVID-19

 

The issue of dentists administering vaccines for COVID-19 is quickly evolving as multiple states have recently taken action.

 

On Jan. 27, the Board of Dentistry filed an emergency rule that will temporarily allow dentists and dental hygienists to administer Food and Drug Administration- (FDA-) approved vaccines for COVID-19 after completing required training. A public hearing on the administrative regulation will be held on April 21.

 

Governor Kristi Noem (R) signed an executive order on Feb. 5, that allows dentists to administer the vaccines. Dentists in that state are limited to giving the vaccine on a voluntary basis, and only at sites designated by the state’s Department of Health.

 

Governor Roy Cooper (D) also signed an executive order that gives the State Board of Dental Examiners authority to allow dentists and dental students permission to administer vaccines for COVID-19.

 

While some states have taken executive action, others are pursuing legislation. The General Assembly is sending identical companion bills to the Governor that require the state’s Department of Health to establish a process to allow any health care provider, including students, who is qualified and available to administer COVID-19 vaccines, to volunteer. The bills also require the state’s Department of Health to establish a process on its website whereby medical facilities as well as public and private institutions of higher education can register as sites where COVID-19 vaccines may be administered.

 

The Senate passed a bill that would allow dentists to give vaccines for COVID-19. Dentists in that state already have authority to give vaccinations for influenza. The bill will be sent to the Minnesota House for consideration.

 

House passed a bill that would allow dentists who have completed training and meet other specified requirements to order and administer an immunization that is recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This bill will be sent to the Indiana Senate for consideration.

 

Finally, included a provision in its COVID-19 relief bill that would have allowed dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Although this measure was vetoed, it is possible this issue could be debated in the state again.

 

oral health professionals to administer vaccines for COVID-19 is being maintained by ADEA Advocacy and Government Relations (AGR) staff.
Biden Administration Opens the ACA Marketplace for Special Enrollment Period

 

President Biden ordered the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace to open from Feb. 15 to May 15 for a special enrollment period. With President Biden’s Executive Order on Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, the re-opening of the marketplace is designed to enable those who have lost coverage due to job loss or who previously had no coverage to secure health care insurance, which is critical to have during a pandemic.

 

The also calls for the federal agencies to review demonstrations and waivers under Medicaid and the ACA that may reduce coverage or undermine the programs, including work requirements.

 

During the Trump administration, Democrats and health advocate groups had called on the administration to re-open the ACA marketplaces for special enrollment periods earlier in the pandemic. However, the administration chose not to do so.

DOJ Reverses Position on Affordable Care Act Constitutionality

 

On Feb. 10 the Department of Justice sent a to the Supreme Court reversing the federal government’s position in the California v. Texas case that the Court is currently deliberating to state that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional.

Biden Announces COVID-19 Health Equity Taskforce

 

President Biden announced of the COVID-19 Health Equity Taskforce. The Taskforce is responsible for addressing the health and social inequities brought to light by COVID-19, and is part of the Biden administration’s .

 

Minority communities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are move likely to die from the virus. However, data on the number of minorities already vaccinated are limited. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), racial data have been collected on only 52% of those vaccinated. Because of the incomplete data, there are questions as to whether vaccines are being equitably distributed.

 

In an effort address inequitable vaccine distribution, next week the federal government will begin directly to a network of federally funded clinics in underserved areas.

Utah Senate Passes Bill That Would Require Medicaid to Reimburse Dental Hygienists Directly

 

On Feb. 5, the that would require the state’s Medicaid program to directly reimburse dental hygienists. The bill would require direct reimbursement when dental hygienists perform services within their scope of practice and request to be reimbursed directly. The bill also requires the state’s Medicaid program to annually report to the Utah State Legislature’s Interim Health and Human Services Committee:

  • the number and geographic distribution of dental hygienists who requested to be reimbursed directly,
  • the total number of Medicaid enrollees who were served by dental hygienists who were reimbursed,
  • the total amount of funds reimbursed directly to dental hygienists,
  • the specific services and billing codes that are reimbursed and
  • the aggregate amount reimbursed for each service and billing.

The bill has been sent to the state’s House of Representatives for consideration.

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.

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

 

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