GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
This legislative year wrapped up in mid-December , with passage of several significant bill packages dealing with transportation funding and child abuse reporting and penalties . Issues like liquor privatization and pension reform loom in the future for debate . We are in the middle of a two-year legislative cycle that will once again commence in late January and end most likely in November . Bills that do not pass by the end of this year will “ die ” during the sine die period and need to be reintroduced in 2015 .
In 2013 and early 2014 , we were successful in lobbying the Governor ’ s Administration and General Assembly to restore the state ’ s funding in the Donated Dental Services program and with passing HB 1056 , which allows out-of-state licensees to volunteer at charitable events or in emergency situations in Pennsylvania . PDA is proud of these two measures that improve access to dental care for those in need . We continue to work on our other initiatives aimed at improving the business and economic climate for dentists , including assignment of insurance benefits and loan forgiveness .
Here ’ s the latest on our issues :
Donated Dental Services Funding Update
PDA scored a legislative victory in June when funding was fully restored for the Donated Dental Services ( DDS ) Program in Pennsylvania . The program , which is administered by Dental Lifeline Network , facilitates care for patients in the Commonwealth who are elderly , disabled or medically compromised and unable to afford the cost of care . The restoration in funding will allow Dental Lifeline Network to restore one regional coordinator position in the eastern part of the state while maintaining the coordinator already existing in western Pennsylvania . These individuals screen patients , recruit volunteer dentists and laboratories and handle the administrative and logistical tasks for volunteers and patients .
As budget negotiations came to a close , PDA learned that the Administration and General Assembly agreed to insert language into the budget requiring “ sufficient funding ” for the DDS program . It was confirmed that the Department of Health will appropriate the requested amount of $ 150,000 that is needed to facilitate the program . None of the funding is distributed to the volunteer dentists or dental laboratories who will provide more than one million dollars in free dental care of hundreds of Pennsylvanians .
In January , Dental Lifeline Network entered into a contractual arrangement with the Department of Health , which will oversee the release of state funds .
Dental Lifeline Network hired a second coordinator who will manage the eastern half of the state from an office in Harrisburg .
Volunteer Dentistry ( HB 1056 )
HB 1056 would allow the State Board of Dentistry ( SBOD ) to issue temporary volunteer licenses to dentists who are in good standing in other states or territories , so that they may volunteer at charitable events , or provide care during emergencies in Pennsylvania . Currently , dentists from other states are prohibited from volunteering at events like Missions of Mercy and Give Kids A Smile , which provide direct access to dental services to underserved populations . Under the legislation , the SBOD could issue one
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