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American Dental Education Association

Volume 2, No. 63, July 19, 2022

ED Releases Proposed Rule Designed to Improve Student Loan Repayment and Relief Programs
 
The Biden administration released a proposed rule [ [link removed] ] addressing concerns across various student loan programs. The proposed rule would, among other things, cancel student loans for borrowers whose schools closed or whose schools had:
 • Substantially misrepresented school information;
 • Substantially omitted facts about the school;
 • Breached its contract with students;
 • Aggressively and deceptively recruited students;
 • Had a federal or state judgment or departmental adverse action brought against the institution that could give rise to a borrower defense claim; or
 • Had a violation of state law that could form the basis for a borrower defense claim, but only if the borrower or, in the case of a group claim brought by a state requestor, that state requestor requests reconsideration of the Secretary's denial of a claim.

For totally and permanently disabled students, the proposed rule also expanded the definition of health care professionals allowed to provide certification of the student’s total and permanent disability as well as expanded the different types of certifications that would also be acceptable, such as qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance or qualifying for the Social Security Administration Compassionate Allowance program. Of particular interest in this rule is the provision that would stop many instances of interest capitalization on student loans. The interest capitalization provision has garnered the most public discussion.
 
Interest capitalization occurs when unpaid interest is added to a borrower’s principal balance, increasing the total amount they owe. Under the proposed rule, where not required by statute, the Department of Education (ED) would eliminate interest capitalization when a borrower enters repayment, exits forbearance, defaults on a student loan and exits most of the income-driven repayment plans. Eliminating the interest capitalization would assist borrowers by lowering their total amount of student loan debt.
 
There is a 30-day comment period for this proposed rule. Comments are due on Aug. 12, 2022. ED intends to finalize this proposed rule by Nov. 1, 2022, with the expectation that it would go into effect no later than July 1, 2023.

FDA Grants Prescribing Authority to Pharmacists Under Revised EUA
 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised Paxlovid’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) [ [link removed] ] to allow state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe the medication. However, certain conditions must be met prior to prescribing:
 • Patients must test positive for COVID-19.
 • Pharmacists must review the patient’s health records for kidney or liver problems.
 • Pharmacists must review the patient’s list of medications to ensure there are no serious drug interactions.

Because of the increasing spread of the most recent COVID-19 subvariant and due to the lack of access for underserved communities and others who would benefit from Paxlovid, the FDA revised the EUA. The FDA believes that allowing pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid will help curb the spread of the disease and increase access to Paxlovid.
 
The American Pharmacists Association, which had been lobbying for an expansion of prescribing authority, praised FDA’s move [ [link removed] ] . However, the American Medical Association does not support the FDA’s decision [ [link removed] ] .

Georgia Gov. Signs Bill to Add Dental Education Representation to State Dental Board
 
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) recently signed legislation [ [link removed] ] that will expand the Georgia Board of Dentistry from 11 to 17 members. One of the new board seats created by the bill will reserve a place for a state resident appointed by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia who has direct knowledge of the education of dental students in the state. The new law will also increase the number of seats reserved for dental hygienists from one to two.

Canadian Health Minister Expects Dental Program to Be Implemented by Year End
 
Canada Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos recently stated [ [link removed] ] his confidence that the Canadian government will be able to establish a program to provide dental coverage for low- and middle-income children by the end of the year.
 
The proposed program [ [link removed]. ] , which is part of deal between the Liberals and the New Democratic Party, would initially provide federal dental coverage for children under 12 who aren’t otherwise insured and have household incomes below $90,000 (CAD). In 2023, the program would be expanded to children under 18, seniors and people who are living with disabilities. Full implementation is expected to occur in 2025 and would extend coverage to all families with incomes below $90,000 (CAD).

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 memo [ [link removed] ] regarding vaccines at the state level
 • ADEA report [ [link removed] ] on teledentistry
 • 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 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.
 
©2022
American Dental Education Association
655 K Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202-289-7201
Website: www.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
 
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