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American Dental Education Association


Volume 2, No. 92, March 28, 2023

HHS Seeks Expanded Authorities to Combat Future Pandemic Threats
 
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) wants new emergency powers to steeply increase staffing and expedite contracting. HHS’ inability to quickly address these two needs during the COVID pandemic is the impetus behind the Department’s expansion request. Dawn O’Connell, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), stated at a press event [ [link removed] ] that she was in talks with Congress to include these authorities as part of the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (Public Law 116-22 [ [link removed] ] ). First passed in 2006, the Act established ASPR. The current law expires on Sept. 30.
 
During the pandemic, HHS’ efforts to address the supply chain shortages, expand the domestic capacity to provide medical equipment diagnostics and accelerate COVID vaccines and new treatments were initially hampered. HHS had to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding [ [link removed] ] with Department of Defense to acquire new supplies quickly because the health agency could not do that on its own.
 
Likewise, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided HHS with additional staffing and human resources capabilities that were needed due to the pandemic. FEMA had certain immediate hiring and pay authorities that HHS did not possess. Having this type of authority would enable HHS to have staffing surges when needed. Having this authority will also enable HHS to be better prepare and therefore, produce a quicker, more effective response to future pandemics.
 
Both chambers of Congress have begun work on the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act in hopes of meeting its Sept. 30 expiration date.

Affordable Care Act Celebrates Its 13th Anniversary
 
Last week marked the 13th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Currently, 40 million people are enrolled in health insurance purchased through the Marketplace or obtained health insurance coverage through Medicaid expansion, which was made possible because of the ACA. The current enrollment is the highest total on record.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation released a report [ [link removed] ] detailing the impact that the ACA has had on access to health insurance coverage.
 
Since the launch of HealthCare.gov, enrollment has regularly increased. As a result, survey results indicate that all 50 states and the District of Columbia have experienced substantial reductions in the uninsured rate since 2013, the last year before implementation of the ACA.

New Fund in Kentucky Could Create Dental Hygiene and Dental Assistant Scholarships, Training Programs
 
Recently signed legislation [ [link removed] ] in Kentucky would create a new health care fund that could lead to scholarships for dental hygienists and dental assistants, with additional funding for programs that train individuals for careers in those professions.
 
The bill would create the Kentucky health care workforce investment fund which would be required to reserve at least 65% of all net funds for scholarships that could be used by specified health care professionals, including dental hygienists and dental assistants. Scholarships would be granted to eligible training programs that have partnered with a health care provider or facility. All funds granted for scholarships would be required to be matched. Partnerships that would target underserved communities, professions that are in highest demand or that include health care facilities with fewer than 50 employees would be prioritized.
 
Thirty-five percent of net funds would be reserved for incentives to reward performance and excellence among eligible health care training programs. The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education would be required to establish criteria for awarding these incentives. The criteria would be required to focus on the provider needs of the state as well as the passage rate and first-time passage rate of graduates on a health care credential examination.

Georgia May Restrict Vaping in Public Places
 
The Georgia General Assembly will send a bill to Gov. Brian Kemp (R) that, if signed, will restrict vaping in the same way the state currently restricts smoking. The state currently prohibits [ [link removed] ] smoking indoors, with some exceptions.

North Carolina General Assembly Sends Medicaid Expansion Bill to Governor
 
After years of debate, the North Carolina General Assembly voted to send legislation [ [link removed] ] to Gov. Roy Cooper (D) that would expand Medicaid to include individuals who earn up to 133% of the federal poverty level.
 
Although broad support for the policy has existed since at least 2022, disagreement among leadership of the state’s House of Representatives and Senate regarding the inclusion of measures that would reform certificate of need laws and grant increased autonomy to nurse practitioners had prevented the legislation from moving forward. That all changed on March 2, when leaders of both chambers announced [ [link removed] ] they had reached a deal regarding these provisions.
 
Gov. Cooper is expected to sign the bill [ [link removed] ] . After that, only a remaining 10 states [ [link removed] ] will not have adopted a policy to expand Medicaid.

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
 • Applications open [ [link removed] ] for Ryan White Part F Dental Reimbursement Program
 • Applications open [ [link removed] ] for HRSA Dental Public Health Research Fellowship
 • 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] ] .

Key Federal Issues [ [link removed] ]

ADEA U.S. Interactive Legislative and Regulatory Tracking Map [ [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.
 
©2023
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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