Government Relations
It’ s a particularly busy time at the state Capitol as legislative leaders engage with the Governor’ s administration to finalize the budget for FY 2025-26. Unpredictability at the federal level has trickled down to the state level, and PDA continues to keep our finger on the pulse to determine what impact, if any, there will be on the profession and the delivery of dental services in the Commonwealth.
Despite the focus on the budget process, legislators continue to introduce and champion other bills. We are happy to report the introduction of Dental Loss Ratio legislation, just in time for our leaders to discuss during dinner with members of the House Insurance Committee and a luncheon with Democratic House Members in early May. These events served as great opportunities to discuss other dental insurance reform initiatives, and how unfair insurance practices correlate to the Commonwealth’ s dental workforce and ability to attract and retain dentists.
Legislation to Watch This Session
HB 1385: Dental Loss Ratio Reporting
• Rep. Kyle Mullins reintroduced legislation requiring dental insurers to report their dental loss ratios( DLR) to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department( PID).
• A law establishing a reporting requirement on an MLR for dentistry— the percentage of revenue from premiums spent on patient care— would enhance transparency for patients seeking oral health care and make dental insurers more accountable.
• PDA is involved in stakeholder discussions with dental insurers and the PID to reach a consensus that will move the bill out of the House Insurance Committee.
HB 1290: Licensing Board Advisory Opinions
• Allows licensees to make a written request that their respective licensing board render advisory opinions that clarify or interpret regulations relevant to the licensee.
• Boards would have 30 days to render an advisory opinion after receiving a written request.
• Advisory opinions would be binding on the licensing board solely with respect to the licensee to whom it is issued.
SB 614: Primary Care Preceptorship Program for Community Health Centers
• Authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of Health to establish a Federally Qualified Health Clinic( FQHC) primary care workforce initiative that includes different health care fields, including dentistry.
• Goal is to offer clinical rotations at FQHCs to students attending an accredited school.
• The legislature would appropriate $ 2.5 million for grants awarded under this preceptorship program.
• Sen. Brook’ s bill was introduced in April and assigned to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
HB 544: Credentialing Reforms
• Requires practitioners and insurers to use the CAQH system.
• Requires timely notice to applicants when an application is incomplete.
• Limits the credentialing period to 45 days.
• Streamlines the process for practitioners practicing in multiple locations.
• Introduced by Rep. Steve Mentzer and assigned to the House Insurance Committee.
HB 583: Restoration of dental Medicaid coverage for adults
• Requires the Commonwealth to restore the dental benefits provided to adults prior to cuts that were made in 2011.
• The services covered prior to 2011, and those currently covered in the Medicaid program, are the minimum required. The Commonwealth could choose to cover additional services.
• Introduced by Rep. Gina Curry and assigned to the House Health Committee, which passed HB 583 on June 3.
HB 157: Rural Health Care Grant Program Act
• Incentivizes health care providers, including dentists and dental hygienists, to practice in rural areas of the Commonwealth.
• Facilities in rural areas may apply for grants to pay a provider’ s education debt.
• Providers must meet certain criteria to be eligible for loan repayment.
• Introduced by Rep. Kathy Rapp and reported out of the House Health Committee in February. It passed the House in March and is now in the Senate.
SB 81 & HB 365: Dentist and Dental Hygienist Licensing Compact
• Rep. Frank Farry reintroduced legislation for the Commonwealth to enter to join the licensing compact endorsed by the American Association of Dental Boards. Rep. Kyle Mullins reintroduced legislation for the Commonwealth to join the licensing compact proposed by the Council on State Governments. Both bills are assigned to the House Professional Licensure Committee.
• The Department of State is working to resolve issues that arise due to the Commonwealth’ s laws on clearances, specifically having to do with FBI checks for out-of-state practitioners applying for a compact privilege.
MAY / JUNE 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 7