PDA's Annual Report 2018 | Page 30

2017 - 2018 SESSION PDA Legislative Goals PDA is the premier dental organization at the forefront of legislative initiatives to improve the dental practice environment in Pennsylvania for dentists and the oral health of all patients. The legislative session allows PDA two years in which to advocate on members’ behalf for these important insurance reforms, scope of practice and access to care initiatives. Though there are only a few months left in the session, PDA is optimistic that the General Assembly will pass PDA’s top legislative priority: assignment of benefits legislation. PDA’S 2018 GOALS • • • Assignment of benefits for non-participating providers. Student loan forgiveness for dentists practicing in health professional shortage areas. Increased funding in the Medical Assistance program for dental providers. While PDA takes a focused approach in limiting its primary advocacy efforts to these three issues, we will monitor and address these issues on an as-needed basis: • • • • • • • • 28 2018 Annual Report | Pennsylvania’s Dental Meeting Teledentistry and the delivery of services remotely. Maintaining funding for the Donated Dental Services program. Prescription drug prescribing authority, abuse and patient monitoring. Protecting the current dental team model and patients’ safety by limiting or restricting the unsupervised practice of non-dentists. All other workforce and scope of practice issues. Supporting programs and policies aimed at improving oral health. Representing dentistry’s interests on issues pertaining to the Affordable Care Act. All insurance issues, such as balance billing, coordination of benef