PDA Thanks Sen . Judy Ward for Championing Assignment of Benefits
In August , Sen . Judy Ward ( R-30 ) introduced SB 850 , PDA ’ s legislation that requires insurance companies to directly assign patients ’ dental benefit to their dentist of choice , even if the dentist is a non-participating provider with the patient ’ s dental plan .
Assignment of Benefits legislation always faces strong opposition from lobbyists representing the insurance industry . But Sen . Ward is no stranger to fighting the insurance lobbyists , having led the fight to pass legislation requiring insurance companies to cover medications and treatments prescribed to patients with Stage IV metastatic cancer . She has also done a tremendous amount of work aimed at improving access to care and necessary services for individuals with developmental disabilities and newborns . Sen . Ward will no doubt be a tireless advocate for SB 850 , so that insurers can no longer deny freedom of choice to patients and restrict their ability to see the most appropriate provider for the specific treatment they need .
Sen . Ward is a lifelong resident of Blair County , and she represents Blair , Fulton and parts of Cumberland , Franklin , and Huntingdon counties . She currently serves as chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee and is a member of numerous Senate committees and caucuses .
PDA thanks Sen . Ward for championing patients ’ rights and for her dedication with improving access to dental care for all Pennsylvanians !
30 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL