G ove r n men t Re lat ions
the bill, whereas several insurance companies expressed
hesitation. The current chair of the committee, Rep. Mark Mustio,
is retiring at the end of the session, so it is unclear what will
happen with this legislation if it is reintroduced next session.
PDA, along with several other healthcare provider groups, worked
with Sen. Vogel’s office to provide input on the legislation.
Student Loan Forgiveness
Rep. Karen Boback worked in consultation with PDA to introduce
HB 1267, regarding student loan forgiveness for dentists.
The legislation would have created a stand-alone repayment
program for dentists and would have increased the loan
forgiveness amount. The current student loan repayment
program provides for up to $100,000 for dentists who agree to
a two-year, full-time commitment to practice in a health
professional shortage area. The legislation would have
increased the funding to $200,000 for a three-year commitment.
The bill was assigned to the House Education Committee;
HB 1267 failed to make it out of committee.
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NOV E M B E R/DE CE M BER 2018 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR NAL
Mail-In Orthodontia
Rep. Tom Murt reintroduced HB 412, regarding mail-in
orthodontia. The legislation would make it unlawful for dental
technicians or dental labs to furnish services to any person
without first obtaining a prescription from a dentist. The bill
was assigned to the House Professional Licensure Committee;
ultimately, HB 412 failed to make it out of committee.
2018-2019 Pennsylvania Budget
Pennsylvania’s budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year was
approved with little resistance this year, and was signed into law
by Governor Wolf on June 22, several days before the June 30
deadline. The earliest point in the year a budget has passed
in 18 years. Also for the first time in nearly a decade, $22 million
was deposited into the Commonwealth’s rainy day fund; the
previous balance was $245,000.
The 2018-2019 budget again included funding for Dental Lifeline
Network’s (DLN) Donated Dental Services program. The funding
allows DLN to employee two coordinators to manage the