PDA applied for and was granted funding from the SPA program to use this fall to enhance our lobbying efforts with HB 564 , legislation that would require insurers to honor a patient ’ s request to assign their benefit directly to a nonparticipating provider . The additional funding was used to hire another lobbying firm to assist our current lobbying team in countering the insurance lobby ’ s opposition to HB 564 . Funding was also used to launch a digital ad campaign targeted at lawmakers and legislative staff precisely while negotiations take place at the Capitol .
PDA hired The DT Firm , led by Dave Thomas , Esq ., to augment the work done by PDA ’ s longtime lobbyist Peg Kuskin and her team . The DT Firm assisted Ms . Kuskin in reaching out to every legislator and staff member , particularly during the most critical junctures of HB 564 ’ s movement through the legislative process .
We used The DT Firm ’ s expertise with geofencing technology to pepper legislators and their staff with digital ads in support of HB 564 as they went about their business . These ads popped up on mobile phones or computers of anyone within a two-mile radius of the Capitol . PDA also planted a letter to the editor in key newspaper outlets across the state , jointly signed by Dr . Jim Tauberg , PDA president , and Rep . Stan Saylor , primary sponsor of HB 564 .
PDA is grateful for the opportunity to use the additional resources available because of ADA ’ s SPA program . Besides funding for additional lobbyists and an innovative marketing campaign , we benefited from the expertise of and advice from senior ADA staff and public relations consultants .
In addition , we initiated a grassroots campaign to activate members statewide with a number of action alerts and social media postings to contact your legislators in support of HB 564 . Staff and volunteer leaders communicated directly with members who work or live in key legislative districts , specifically those in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties , imploring them to contact their legislators . Using donations to PADPAC , PDA ’ s political action committee , members attended legislative fundraisers and hosted dinners on PDA ’ s behalf , allowing them the opportunity to network and build relationships with state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle ( see pages 18-19 for more details ).
This is the multifaceted approach needed to counter the most powerful lobbying organization in Harrisburg — the insurance industry . But , besides the insurance lobbyists , timing , once again , worked against PDA . House and Senate session days misaligned so that PDA had very few days to push HB 564 through both chambers in the fall . Add to that pandemic-related restrictions , elections and sine die , and PDA found itself once again fighting an uphill battle on what should be considered common-sense legislation that improve access to dentistry in Pennsylvania . HB 564 ultimately failed to pass before session ended .
It ’ ll be up to you , our members , to determine whether PDA should lobby for assignment of benefits again next session , or to pursue other legislative goals . Please be sure to take a few minutes and respond to our member survey asking you to rank third-party payer and other issues in order of importance to you . The survey was sent electronically and is posted on our PDA Go mobile app and website . You can also find the survey on page 26 . Simply fill it out , scan and email , or fax , to PDA ’ s government relations department at mss @ padental . org or ( 717 ) 234-4301 . Your opinion matters to us !
Thank all of you who took the time to advocate for your profession and your patients !
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 31