GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
As the winter / spring legislative session wraps up and legislators return to their districts , PDA takes stock of where we stand on our issues now that we are halfway through 2014 . Before lawmakers began focusing on budget negotiations , the General Assembly passed PDA ’ s legislation to allow out-of-state dentists to apply for temporary licensure , primarily to assist at charitable events and during emergencies . PDA continued to push for passage of assignment of benefit legislation to benefit non-participating providers and a number of access-to-care initiatives such as student loan forgiveness , Medical Assistance reforms and continued funding in the Donated Dental Services program .
The progress we made so far is due in large part to the participation of more than 100 members , spouses and dental students who attended Day on the Hill on June 3 . Stay tuned for a full recap of this event in the July / August issue of the Journal .
Assignment of Benefits ( HB 2263 and SB 520 )
With our assignment of benefits bill stalled in the Senate , PDA is now introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives . In April , Rep . Karen Boback ( R-Columbia ) introduced HB 2263 while PDA lobbied for support from House Leadership .
HB 2263 is identical to Senate Bill 520 , which would require insurance companies to directly pay dental providers for a patient ’ s treatment . SB 520 is currently pending in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee , but has not received any commitment because PDA did not accept a proposed amendment that would have made it more difficult for dentists to balance bill at the time of service . PDA is hopeful that passing assignment of benefits legislation in the House first will ease its passage through the Senate .
Volunteer Dentistry ( HB 1056 )
Rep . Keith Gillespie ( R-York ) introduced HB 1056 , which allows the State Board of Dentistry ( SBOD ) to issue temporary volunteer licenses to dentists who are in good standing in another state or territory so that they may volunteer at charitable events or provide care during emergencies in Pennsylvania . At present , dentists from other states are prohibited from volunteering at events such as Missions of Mercy and Give Kids a Smile , which provide direct access to dental services . PDA supported HB 1056 as a measure that will expand Pennsylvania ’ s volunteer capacity to treat individuals without routine access to dental care .
HB 1056 will allow the SBOD to issue
these temporary licenses to individuals who meet the following criteria :
• Holds an active license in another state or territory .
• Is current on all continuing education requirements .
• Demonstrates medical professional liability insurance coverage in the amount required by Pennsylvania law . The SBOD may issue one 30-day temporary volunteer license per applicant or up to three 10-day temporary volunteer licenses per applicant per year .
The General Assembly passed HB 1056 in February and it Governor Corbett signed it into law soon after . The SBOD began processing applications on April 5 .
M AY / J U N 2 0 1 4 | P E N N S Y LVA N I A D E N TA L J O U R N A L 9