Legislative Recap
SOFTEDGE PROVIDES INNOVATIVE ADVOCACY EXPERIENCE FOR PDA MEMBERS
PDA uses the new and improved SoftEdge for its comprehensive grassroots advocacy and legislative outreach software. This customized software meets our specific needs at PDA and helps us effectively communicate our members’ legislative priorities to the PA House and Senate, as well as the Governor’ s Administration.
Through SoftEdge, our lobbyists can visit the Capitol with confidence that we are well-prepared to interact with legislators and staff on issues important to PDA. The tool is quick and easy for our members. Check out the Advocacy section of PDA’ s website and learn to communicate with your state lawmakers quickly and effectively!
PDA’ S ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS LEGISLATION PASSES THE SENATE
In January, the Senate of Pennsylvania passed SB 373, PDA’ s legislation requiring insurers to assign benefits, on patient’ s request, to nonparticipating dentists. SB 373 now moves to the House Insurance Committee in the House of Representatives.
Assignment of benefits legislation is PDA’ s top priority this legislative session. PDA’ s lobbyist, staff and volunteer leaders drafted the legislation, found sponsors to introduce bills in both the House of Representatives and Senate, and spearheaded negotiations in both chambers to garner enough support for legislative leaders to begin moving the bill through the Senate. PDA is very optimistic that the House of Representatives will pass SB 373 before the end of session in late fall.
PDA thanks the hundreds of you who have responded to our action alerts as SB 373 moved quickly through the Senate. This victory illustrates how the collective voice of organized dentistry can make a positive difference for your profession and patients! Help us keep the momentum going to pass this important insurance practice reform legislation and send it to the Governor for his signature. Please respond to PDA’ s action alerts requesting that you contact your state representative about assignment of benefits and the need to support SB 373. We need a united front to counter the insurance lobbyists hard at work opposing this bill.
PDA’ S LOAN FORGIVENESS BILL INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE
Representative Karen Boback introduced HB 1267, which creates a standalone student loan forgiveness program for dentists. Under the current model, dentists are eligible to earn up to $ 100,000 in loan repayment, in exchange for a two-year, full-time commitment to practice in a health professional shortage area( HPSA). This amount is inadequate given the amount of debt most dental students accumulate. HB 1267 would increase funding to up to $ 200,000 for a three-year, full-time commitment in a HPSA.
There are a total of 87 dental HPSAs in Pennsylvania.
TELEMEDICINE
Senator Elder Vogel introduced SB 780 to address the emerging issue of telemedicine( including dentistry), which is the remote delivery of health care services and medical information using telecommunications technology. Telemedicine and teledentistry are a significant and rapidly growing component of health care. Through the use of telemedicine and teledentistry, health care providers are able to expand their reach, helping rural patients stay in their communities and avoid traveling long distances for treatment.
SB 780 defines telemedicine, offers guidelines outlining who can provide telemedicine services, and provides clarity around insurance company reimbursement for these services. Although the legislation requires payments for telemedicine and teledental services, those payments will be established between the provider and insurer. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved SB 780 in January. The legislation now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a vote.
REGULATORY UPDATE
PDA monitors and responds to the State Board of Dentistry( SBOD) as it promulgates regulations for the dental profession. Emerging issues that the SBOD may address in the future include licensing exams, the administration of botox, corporate and mobile dentistry and teeth whitening services. PDA reviews all regulatory proposals and advocates
on members’ behalf for the enactment of fair and reasonable regulations.
30 2018 Annual Report | Pennsylvania’ s Dental Meeting