ADA outlines priorities for oral health to new HHS secretary
Washington — The ADA is asking the U.S. Department Health and Human Services to prioritize several issues during the Biden administration.
In an April 15 letter to Sec. Xavier Becerra, ADA President Daniel J. Klemmedson, D.D.S., M.D., and Executive Director Kathleen T. O’Loughlin, D.M.D., said that they looked forward to working with the secretary on the following:
- Allowing dentists continued access to the Provider Relief Fund if future application periods are opened. The ADA would also like HHS to create a dispute/appeals process for errors made on previous PRF applications.
- Opening of the Affordable Care Act’s special enrollment period where stand-alone dental plans are also allowed to be selected as a way to expand dental coverage as part of overall essential health care.
- Appointing a permanent chief dental officer at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure oral health is prioritized.
- Improving the Medicaid program. This includes expanding the participation of dentists through increased reimbursement and reduced administrative burdens. The ADA is also asking HHS to enhance adult dental benefits across all Medicaid programs.
- Increasing oral health equity by incentivizing dentists to practice in underserved communities across the United States and strengthening support for Action for Dental Health Initiatives within the Health Resources and Services Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Follow all of the ADA’s advocacy efforts at ADA.org/advocacy .
