Government Relations
Legislative Session Recap
The two-year legislative session officially ended on November 30 . Bills that did not pass both chambers , and any vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf , will need to be reintroduced next session .
While lobbying for PDA ’ s legislative priorities the past two years , we also monitored and responded to dozens of bills that had a potential impact on dentistry . These issues include :
• School-based dental screenings
• Health care practitioners restrictive covenant agreements
• Streamlining the prior authorization process
• Authorization to administer the COVID vaccine
• Authorizing licensing board to issue advisory opinions on regulations
• Anesthesia services in hospital settings
• Opioid prescribing authority and reporting requirements
• Paid sick leave requirements for employers
Now is the perfect time to reassess the political landscape and PDA ’ s priorities for the 2023-24 legislative session . With dozens of freshmen legislators and a shake-up of key leaders in both the House and Senate ( and not to mention a new Governor ), new or changing players--especially those serving in leadership positions--could signify a death knell for some issues and an emerging opportunity to advance others . PDA ’ s lobbyists and staff have a finger on the pulse to determine which PDA issues have legislative support and the most potential of becoming law .
The Government Relations Committee ( GRC ) met this fall to review results from the member survey we sent over the summary , asking members to rank issues in order of importance to them . In consultation with PDA ’ s lobbying team , PDA leadership will set the agenda for next session — stay tuned for more information in early 2023 !
Legislative Victories
* PDA was successful in preserving state funding for the DDS Program
Due to PDA ’ s advocacy efforts with the House and Senate Appropriation Committees and legislative leaders , Pennsylvania ’ s state budget once again includes funding for the Donated Dental Services ( DDS ) program . The funding enables Dental Lifeline Network , which operates the DDS program , to employ two regional coordinators who screen patients and connect them with volunteer dentists and dental labs . Patients who are elderly , medically fragile and / or disabled are eligible for the DDS program .
PDA Secured Additional Funding for the Dental Medical Assistance Program
PDA engaged in the budget process by collaborating with the dental service organizations and other dental groups to increase funding in the dental Medicaid program . We made a budget request of 32 million — half from the state , half from the federal government — which was based on a 20 percent increase to the 20 most utilized services for kids and adults . We continue to talk to Administration officials and key legislative leaders to secure the funding in 2023 .
Pro Bono Continuing Education Credits
PDA staff and lobbyist worked with Sen . Scott Martin and his staff on legislation that allows dentists , dental hygienists , and expanded function dental assistants to apply up to three hours of pro bono care to fulfill their continuing education requirement each biennial licensure renewal period . PDA ’ s GRC was instrumental in suggesting language encompassing all the pathways by which dentists and other dental team members provide volunteer dental , dental hygiene , and dental assisting care , while providing a mechanism for the proper accounting of volunteer hours with the State Board of Dentistry ( SBOD ). The SBOD may approve continuing education credit for clinical volunteer work only , which is important to ensuring that the hours substituted for classroom time still relate directly to dentists and dental team members maintaining clinical competency . It also gives the underserved more opportunity to access the dental care they need .
The Senate passed SB 1173 before the summer recess and the House moved quickly to pass the bill during the fall session . Governor Wolf signed SB 1173 ( now Act 159 of 2022 ) into law on November 3 . PDA followed up with the SBOD to request information on how the new law will be implemented for the upcoming renewal period .
Credentialing
PDA was successful at finding a legislator to sponsor legislation that will improve the credentialing process for healthcare practitioners in Pennsylvania . HB 2613 , introduced by Rep . Mentzer on our behalf , will :
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 7