As you enjoy this issue of the PDJ , we are halfway through the 2023-24 legislative session in Pennsylvania .
This has been the most unusual and unorthodox legislative year in living memory . There were two different Speakers of the House ( the first Speaker resigned ), multiple ties ( 101-101 ) in the Pennsylvania House , and the margin deciding which party would hold the majority was decided ( twice ) by an election in Allegheny County . It has been an exceptionally challenging year to push bills through the General Assembly .
Even with the chaos and unpredictability of the makeup of the legislature , PDA has been working on your behalf to bring important changes to your practice . Most of our members have expressed concerns that insurance issues are what frustrate you and trouble your practice the most . You became a dentist to treat patients . You didn ’ t work hard to become a doctor to engage in bureaucratic “ Mother may I ” games that take up tons of your time . During this legislative session PDA has pursued and will continue to pursue dental insurance reforms .
One of the many things PADPAC has done , in combination with PDA ’ s Government Relations department , is reshape the legislative and regulatory landscape to make your life easier . We have been quite successful in changing a number of laws to help the lives of dentists and the patients they care for :
passed legislation limiting the time frame in which insurers may retroactively review and deny dental claims to 24 months
passed legislation prohibiting insurers from capping fees for dental services which are not covered in a patient ’ s plan
passed legislation requiring insurers to cover the cost of general anesthesia when needed to treat patients of any age with special needs or children seven years of age or younger
As mentioned , PDA ’ s aggressive legislative agenda for this two-year cycle is heavily focused on insurance issues . The issues we are pursuing are : 1 ) medical loss ratio , 2 ) credentialing , 3 ) network leasing notification to providers , and 4 ) prohibiting insurers from mandating exclusive virtual credit card payments .
One of the most impactful actions you can take as a dentist is to contribute to PADPAC . When you contribute to PADPAC you are joining your voice with your dental colleagues and educating state legislators about something that ’ s a problem and how it can be fixed . One of the main reasons dentists join PDA is for the outstanding advocacy we provide . But in order to be effective advocates we need a strong PAC to support legislators who support dentistry and the patients you treat .
If you contribute to PADPAC and indicate you want your contribution to go toward insurance issues , that ’ s where your PAC dollars will go . Our commitment and focus and your dollars make for a team that gets results . When you contribute to PADPAC you are investing in your patients , your profession and your peers .
Dentists are invariably rated among the most ethical professionals . We need to showcase that hard earned respect to tell your side of the story . Why are your issues important to the people of Pennsylvania and the General Assembly ?
New Dentists ( those in practice 10 years or less ) can help themselves , their peers and their profession by contributing at least $ 60 . New dentists will be dealing with the laws and regulations passed by the PA legislature for longer than their more senior peers . It makes sense for new dentists to start their career off right by helping build the future they will work in for decades by contributing to PADPAC .
In order to compete with the insurance lobbyists , one of the most formidable opponents in Pennsylvania politics , we need hard dollars to support those elected officials who believe in you and support you . If you don ’ t want to make a lump sum contribution you can make monthly contributions which may be easier or more convenient for you . The day-to-day impact on you is pretty minimal , but the end of the year total contribution to PADPAC is a major help in moving your agenda forward . You contributing makes a big difference in strengthening your PAC and allowing us to have greater access and more decisive input into the various campaigns we contribute towards .
If you have any questions about making a contribution to PADPAC , please contact John Basial at jpb @ padental . org or ( 800 ) 223-0016 , ext . 108 . You can also contribute online by visiting padental . org / padpac .
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 17