View this email .
American Dental Education Association

Volume 2, No. 2, March 23, 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.

 

Issues and Resources

ADEA on Opioids

ADEA on State Advocacy

NHSC Service Loan Repayment Program and application

ADEA regarding vaccines at the state level

For a full list of ADEA Letters and Policy Memos, click .

Grants and funding opportunities through

HHS Allows Dentists and Dental Students to Provide COVID-19 Vaccinations

 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (PREP Act) to allow dentists and dental students to be COVID-19 vaccinators. This amendment would enable dentists and dental students to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the general population, regardless of the state or territory in which they are licensed, and it extends liability protection to the vaccinators.

 

Liability protection provides temporary immunity from tort liability claims to individuals or organizations involved in the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of medical countermeasures, which may include vaccines, except for claims involving willful misconduct.

 

When the federal government amended the PREP Act, it simultaneously launched an online portal to assist vaccinators with registering to volunteer at vaccination sites in their state or territory. The online portal, the (ESAR-VHP), provides dentists, dental students and other vaccinators with information regarding and volunteer vaccinator registration information for their state or territory.

 

The federal government will still deliver vaccines to the state and local governments who then will determine how and where to distribute the vaccine. These entities can also use the ESAR-VHP to secure additional vaccinators when needed.

 

ADEA both Trump and Biden administrations to include dentists and dental students as vaccinators in the PREP Act.

Medicare Reimbursement for COVID-19 Vaccinators Increased

 

The federal government is increasing the for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. The reimbursement can pay for establishing new or growing existing vaccination sites, conducting patient outreach and education as well as hiring additional staff. This increase, coupled with the government’s authorization of new COVID-19 vaccinators, supports the Biden administration’s effort to increase states' and territories’ capacity to vaccinate Americans as soon as possible.

New Mexico House Passes Bill to Expand Definition of Teledentistry

 

On March 13, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed that broadens the scope of teledentistry in the state. Under the state’s current law, a dentist may only engage in teledentistry in real-time in cooperation with another oral health professional to provide limited diagnostic and treatment planning services. If signed by the governor, the bill also would allow dental therapists and dental hygienists to use teledentistry. The bill also redefines teledentistry to mean “the use of electronic information, imaging and communication technologies, including interactive audio, video and data communications as well as store-and-forward technologies, to provide and support health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of dental data and education.” The bill clarifies that individuals who practice teledentistry are subject to disciplinary proceedings pertaining to licensure.
Indiana Senate and Wisconsin Legislature Pass Vaccine Bills

 

On March 16, the that would allow a dentist who has completed required training to administer to individuals age 11 or older any immunization recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. In addition to allowing dentists to administer vaccines, the bill also makes changes to notification and information requirements for insurers when making payments to dentists using an electronic funds transfer. The bill already passed the House, but it was amended in the Senate. Both chambers will have to pass the same version of the bill before it can be sent to the Governor.

 

Also, on March 16, the that would allow dentists to administer vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza. The same version of the bill has been passed by both chambers and the bill will now be sent to the governor.

 

While the federal government recently announced dentists will be permitted to , if both bills are signed into law, Indiana and Wisconsin will join only a handful of other states that allow dentists to administer vaccines for other conditions. and currently allow dentists to administer vaccines for influenza, while allows dentists to administer vaccines for many conditions after completing qualified training.

Supreme Court Calls off Hearing on Medicaid Work Requirements

 

The Supreme Court has decided to comply with a request made by the Biden administration to to review Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas and New Hampshire. The work requirements, which have been struck down by lower courts, were scheduled for oral arguments on March 29, but were canceled after the a motion stating the Biden administration had “preliminarily determined” that work requirements do not serve Medicaid’s goals.

 

The Court’s announcement was not accompanied by a statement, and it is unclear if the Court intends to hear arguments at a later date.

 

Additionally, the Biden administration sent letters to both Arkansas and New Hampshire on March 17, informing those states of its intention to that had been granted under the Trump administration. The letters informed officials in those states that withdrawal of those approvals would take effect in 30 days. Both states are permitted to appeal those decisions.

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.

 

©2021

American Dental Education Association

655 K Street, NW, Suite 800

Washington, DC 20001

202-289-7201,

twitter
Unsubscribe

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