3 things you missed in government this week
Dental benefits, appropriations, Indian Health Service
“Three Things You Missed in Government This Week” is designed to offer a way to stay informed on the topics of the week. These updates are meant to offer brief details on legislative or regulatory topics to keep dentists engaged and up to date. To explore the ADA’s latest advocacy efforts, more information is available at ADA.org/Advocacy.
1. The National Council of Insurance Legislators voted to approve amendments to the 2020 Transparency in Dental Benefits Contracting Model Act, marking a key development for state dental societies that have advocated for changes to virtual credit card payment provisions. At NCOIL’s Health Committee meeting, members adopted language that shifts virtual credit card-related payments from an “opt-out” to an “opt-in” system. Under the revised model, dental plans must obtain a dentist’s permission before issuing any payment method that carries associated fees, such as a virtual credit card.
2. The ADA, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Education Association, and American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research — submitted a joint letter urging congressional appropriators to finalize the fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill with strong support for federal oral health programs. The groups asked lawmakers to adopt the higher of the House or Senate committee-approved funding levels for multiple programs affecting oral health research, workforce development and oral disease prevention.
3. The AI/AN Health Partners, a coalition that includes the ADA and is committed to improving health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native, or AI/AN, communities, is calling on House and Senate appropriators to strengthen funding for the Indian Health Service as they finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior Appropriations bill. The coalition praised the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies’ initial support for IHS but urged lawmakers to adopt the House’s higher proposed funding levels in three key areas critical to access to care.
