AAE Visits the U.S. Capitol to Advocate for Greater Oral Health Care Policies
By: Michael Dobrow and Catherine French
Members and staff of American Association of Endodontists (AAE) participated in the American Dental Association (ADA) and American Dental Student Association (ASDA) annual event known as ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Days on March 5 - 7 in Washington D.C. The opportunity provided a venue for endodontists to meet directly with federal lawmakers and their legislative aides to advocate for greater oral health care policies.
Participants lobbied for the passage of H.R. 1202, the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act (or REDI Act) which was sponsored by Representative Brian Babin (R-TX). Babin is also a dentist, and his proposal would defer payments on federal student loans until after a medical or dental residency is completed. It also seeks to suspend the accrual of federal student loan interest during the residency period.
They were also there to advocate for the passage of H.R. 1385, the Dental and Optometric Care Access Act (or DOC Access Act). This measure was sponsored by Representative John Carter (R-TX), and it aims to prohibit dental, and vision plans from setting fees network doctors might charge for services not covered by the insurers, from providing unreasonably minimal compensation for services rendered, and from forcing doctors to sign contracts for longer than two years. It is narrowly drawn to apply only to dental and vision insurance plans regulated by the federal government. 44 states have already passed similar legislation and this proposal seeks to level the playing field nationally.
Lastly, they urged their lawmakers to support S. 570/H.R. 1342, the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2023 and H.R. 1422, the Strengthening Medicaid Incentives for Licensees Enrolled in Dental (SMILED) Act from Representative Mike Simpson (R-ID). These proposals aim to make comprehensive dental care a mandatory component of Medicaid coverage for adults in every state and increase access to oral health care within the Medicaid program by reducing administrative barriers for providers.
The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Representative Nanette Barragán (D-CA).
The three-day event was also a valuable opportunity to network with colleagues, mentor dental students and work with new dentists. Day one of the event consisted of interactive panel discussions on the legislative process and issue review and a Welcome Reception themed “Show Your State Pride”
Day two included an official welcoming ceremony, more issue review discussions, and a presentation on how to meet your lawmaker co-hosted by AAE’s very own Dr. Maria Maranga! The AAE also hosted a reception for its members and dental students interested in pursuing a career in endodontics.
Day three was dedicated to grassroots meetings with lawmakers and their legislative aides in their capitol offices and an Open House of the ADA’s new capitol property.
