Government Relations
PDA ’ s 2025-2026 Advocacy Goals
The new legislative session , which began in January 2025 , allows PDA two years in which to advocate on members ’ behalf for important insurance reforms , scope of practice and access to care initiatives . Before the start of a legislative session every two years , PDA leaders carefully weigh every issue impacting the dental profession and assess Pennsylvania ’ s political climate before deciding which issues to advocate for and how best to allocate our resources to achieve our advocacy goals . The Government Relations Committee and Board of Trustees take seriously their role in determining how best to use PDA ’ s lobbying resources and PAC funds .
PDA ’ s advocacy agenda for 2025-26 includes :
1 . Streamlining the credentialing process to attract more dentists to the Commonwealth and avoid delays with patient care . Legislation to improve credentialing includes standardization of forms and the application process , a reasonable timeframe for insurers to notify applicants when more information is needed , limiting the timeframe for insurers to credential complete applications , and simplifying the process for practitioners who practice in multiple locations .
2 . Transparency with network leasing so that practitioners are notified when an insurer leases its network of participating providers to a third party . Enhancing transparency will help ensure fair pricing and stabilize practice revenue , which ultimately diminishes any disruption of patient services .
3 . Requiring insurers to report their Dental Loss Ratios ( DLRs ) will result in great transparency and more accountability for how patients ’ premiums are spent . Establishing a DLR reporting requirement will also align dentistry with the requirements for health insurers under the Affordable Care Act .
4 . Increasing funding in the dental Medicaid program and raising reimbursement rates in order to make the program viable for dentists who wish to participate .
While we take a focused approach in limiting its primary advocacy efforts to these issues , we will monitor and address these issues on an as-needed basis :
• Licensing board advisory opinions .
• Health care provided restricted covenants .
• Teledentistry .
• Funding for the Donated Dental Services program and other oral health related programs .
• Prescription drug prescribing authority .
• Scope of practice and workforce development issues .
• All insurance issues , such as balance billing , coordination of benefits and prior authorization .
• Improving patients ’ ability to access dental care .
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 7