GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
PDA ’ S TOP FOUR ADVOCACY GOALS FOR THE 2015 - 2016 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
PDA is the premier dental organization at the forefront of legislative initiatives to improve the dental practice environment in Pennsylvania for both dentists and patients . We are more than halfway through the legislative session . For the remainder of 2016 , PDA ’ s lobbyists , staff and volunteer leaders will work on members ’ behalf to pass these important insurance reforms , and scope of practice and access to care initiatives :
• Assignment of benefits for all providers .
• Limiting time frame insurers may retroactively review and deny claims .
• Health practitioner student loan forgiveness .
• Restoration of funding in the adult Medical Assistance program for dental providers
GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE
Assignment of Benefits ( HB 973 and SB 843 ) PDA is lobbying for enactment of assignment of benefits legislation , having spent last fall working with Senate and House leaders and staff on language that satisfied their concerns about adequate consumer protection safeguards when they need dental treatment in emergency situations .
Retroactive Insurance Claim Reviews ( SB 554 and HB 1178 ) PDA is playing a prominent role in a coalition of other health care provider groups lobbying for passage of legislation that would limit the time frame in which insurers may retroactively review and deny claims to 18 months .
Student Loan Forgiveness for Practicing in Underserved Areas ( HB 1276 ) PDA supports legislation increasing the loan repayment to $ 200,000 for dentists who are part of the Primary Care Loan Repayment Program . In exchange , dentists must commit to practicing full-time for two years .
GOVERNOR ’ S ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
PDA advocates for the profession with Administration policymakers to advance new policies or policy reform in the executive branch of government . We represent dentistry when working with officials from the Departments of Human Services , Health , Environmental Protection and Insurance .
Department of Human Services : Medical Assistance funding PDA continues to lobby for the restoration of funding in the adult Medical Assistance ( MA ) program to at least the 2010 level . The decision to limit most essential services for adults resulted in increased cost to taxpayers when adults do not get the services they need and eventually seek treatment in hospital emergency rooms .
30 Pennsylvania ’ s Dental Meeting | Annual Report 2016