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American Dental Education Association
Volume 2, No. 26, October 5, 2021
Congress Votes to Keep the Government Operating
Congress passed and President Biden signed legislation to keep the federal government operating past Sept. 30, which marked the end of fiscal year 2021. The new law [ [link removed] ] continues government operations at existing levels until Dec. 3 to give the Congress additional time to enact the 12 appropriations bills funding government operations, including those funding programs of interest to dental education.
Congress Continues to Debate Infrastructure Bill and the Build Back Better Act
Besides the 12 appropriations bills on the congressional schedule, Congress has two remaining items to address this year. The U.S. House of Representatives planned to take up H.R. 3684 [ [link removed] ] , the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (aka the “bipartisan infrastructure bill”), that passed the Senate on Aug. 10 by a vote of 69-30. But the bill has not been able to secure enough Democratic votes in the House to ensure passage because of a dispute over the second item on the congressional agenda.
The second item is the Build Back Better Act [ [link removed] Back Better Act Report-2021-Final.pdf ] (aka Reconciliation). The version of the bill that is pending in the House contains programmatic changes that would cost $3.5 trillion over 10 years. One of the changes is a dental benefit in Medicare beginning in 2028.
Two Democratic senators are baulking at that version of the plan, preferring a $1.5 trillion plan instead. A compromise proposal of $2.1 trillion has been suggested. The fate of the Medicare dental benefit is uncertain in the either of the two lesser proposals because the only thing being discussed is the topline number.
Student Loan Bill of Rights Becomes Law in Oregon
Earlier this year, Oregon became the 13th state [ [link removed] ] to enact a Student Loan Bill of Rights. The recently enacted law [ [link removed] ] requires student loan servicers, with some specified exceptions, to obtain a license before being permitted to operate in the state. It also allows the state’s Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to deny a license or renewal to anyone found to have engaged in fraudulent, deceptive and dishonest practices. Additionally, the new law requires licensees to maintain specified liquidity, operating reserves and tangible net worth.
The bill was requested by Oregon’s Attorney General [ [link removed] ] .
Wisconsin Senate Passes Bill to Establish Certification Program for EFDAs
On Sept. 28, the Wisconsin Senate passed legislation [ [link removed] ] that would establish a certificate program for expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDAs). Under the bill, EFDAs who become certified would be permitted to perform delegated tasks that are specified in the bill under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
To become eligible for certification, an applicant must:
• Successfully complete an accredited instructional program that provides training in practice as an EFDA and requires no fewer than 70 hours of classroom instruction.
• Prior to being permitted to enroll in the instructional program, complete at least 2,000 hours practicing as a dental assistant, or at least 1,000 hours practicing as a dental assistant and hold the certified dental assistant credential issued by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.
• Maintain current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including the use of an automated external defibrillator, achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization or institution of higher education.
The bill also permits the state’s Dentistry Examining Board to promulgate additional rules for the certification and practice of EFDAs, but the bill prohibits the Examining Board from promulgating rules that allow an EFDA to cut hard or soft tissue, diagnose or plan treatments.
The bill has been sent to the Wisconsin State Assembly for further consideration.
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
• Provider Relief Fund Reporting portal [ [link removed] ]
• ADEA memo [ [link removed] ] regarding vaccines at the state level
• ADEA report [ [link removed] ] on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Dental Schools
• ADEA policy brief [ [link removed] ] regarding overprescription of antibiotics
• For a full list of ADEA memos, briefs and letters 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.
©2021
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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