What to Expect in 2024: AAE Advocacy Gears Up for the New Legislative Session
As we embark on the new year, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is intensifying its federal and state advocacy initiatives to safeguard patients and support endodontic practices. The 2024 legislative outlook delves into forthcoming policy issues and obstacles expected to unfold in Congress and state legislatures across the country.
FEDERAL FORECAST
Congress reconvened on January 8, and started the race against the clock to avert a government shutdown. Last year, Congress failed to finalize funding levels for 2024 and now faces a looming January 19 deadline for funding approximately 20% of the federal government. This funding encompasses vital sectors such as agriculture, energy and water, housing, military construction and veteran affairs, and transportation programs. Without swift congressional action, the federal government faces a February 2 deadline government shutdown for the remaining government operations (80%).
Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) sealed a government funding deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on January 7, ensuring the government’s continued operation. However, the announcement of the deal prompted strong opposition from hardline House Republicans within Johnson’s own party. Their concerns revolve around perceived shortcomings in budget cuts to address the growing national debt and concessions made to Democratic policy riders in the bill. At present, prospects for a long-term spending deal seem dim, with the likelihood of Congress resorting to another short-term Continuing Resolution extending at least until March, despite Speaker Johnson’s commitment to passing a comprehensive spending deal in the New Year. Since 1994, Congress has failed to pass all twelve appropriations bills before the start of the Fiscal Year. Last year, Congress grappled to pass a comprehensive funding package, and resorted to two short-term spending bills to avert government shutdowns.
Regrettably, the 118th Congress is on track to become one of the least productive legislative sessions in decades, with only twenty-seven bills signed into law last year. Political experts anticipate minimal improvement in productivity for 2024, given the ongoing challenges posed by a divided government and the conflicting interests inherent in what is one of the most significant presidential election years in U.S. history.
We anticipate that Congress’s primary focus this year will be passing government spending bills. While there still exists a window of opportunity for a bipartisan tax reform package, the inclusion of contentious tax provisions such as corporate tax cuts in the final package appears unlikely. The AAE intends to advocate for small business tax reform proposals supporting endodontic practices and providing financial relief to their patients.
STATE FORECAST
While the federal forecast is gloomy for 2024, there are significant advocacy opportunities for the dental community at the state level. The 2023 legislative season witnessed notable legislative victories for the dental community in state legislatures nationwide.
In the past year, the AAE successfully shepherded the advancement of dental loss ratio proposals in states like, Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico. Particularly noteworthy was the implementation of the Massachusetts dental loss ratio law on January 1 – an advocacy effort led by AAE alongside the American Dental Association and local Massachusetts dental groups. This success has spurred other states to follow Massachusetts’ lead. As consumers demand increased access to dental care and greater controls on insurance carriers’ profits, the AAE remains committed to advocating for dental loss ratio proposals, taking a proactive stance in favor of the proposal considered this year in states such as Missouri.
Additionally, the AAE has recently endorsed the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which allows dentists licensed in participating states the flexibility to practice in other participating states, reducing barriers to licensure and improving patients’ access to care. The Compact, already enacted in Iowa, Washington, and Tennessee within a year of its development, requires ratification in four more states. It enjoys broad support from the public and lawmakers nationwide and is expected to be deliberated in multiple states during the 2024 legislative session. The AAE plans to aggressively advocate for the Compact’s adoption in these states to enhance license portability for AAE members and improve patient access to endodontic care.
Encouragingly, state legislatures and regulatory bodies are increasingly recognizing the inextricable link between oral health and systemic health. States such as, Nebraska, are acknowledging this integral connection and exploring opportunities to expand dental coverage options for government health programs, particularly for vulnerable patient populations such as Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The AAE anticipates a growing trend of states enacting legislative and regulatory policies to enhance patients’ access to dental coverage, reflecting a positive shift in oral health awareness at the state level.