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Legislative AdvocacyIt’s time for another Advocacy Flash Update!!! This month’s update includes:
Welcome to the AAOMS Advocacy Insider, the exclusive publication for members of AAOMS’s grassroots program, the OMS Action Network. Visit AAOMS.org/Action for more information on the OMS Action Network and past editions of the AAOMS Advocacy Insider. Items of NoteNew AAOMS paper addresses CRNA role in dental officesA newly released white paper from AAOMS highlights the organization's ongoing dedication to patient safety and excellence in dental anesthesia care. While acknowledging the important role of CRNAs, the paper emphasizes that dental offices present unique challenges that require anesthesia providers to have specialized training in dentistry. AAOMS asserts that CRNAs should only administer anesthesia in dental settings under the supervision of a dentist or physician with appropriate dental anesthesia training. The white paper is intended to support advocacy efforts at both the state and local levels. AAPD introduces model rules for pediatric moderate sedation. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has released model anesthesia regulations intended for adoption by states. However, the proposed language – focused solely on moderate sedation – lacks critical details. Key concerns include:
AAOMS continues to review these model regulations and engage with key stakeholders. ELSA reintroduced in the 119th CongressThe Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), sponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jodi Ernst (R-Iowa), along with U.S. Reps. Kim Schrier, MD (D-Wash.) and Neal Dunn, MD (R-Fla.), is expected to be reintroduced later today for the 119th Congress. ELSA would correct inequities in health insurance coverage for the treatment of patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies. This legislation was last introduced in the 117th Congress, passing in the House in April 2022. In preparation for its reintroduction in the 119th Congress, AAOMS has been working with bill sponsors and a broad coalition of provider and patient advocacy organizations to incorporate congressional feedback and strengthen ELSA’s language. AAOMS members are encouraged to participate in a grassroots campaign to urge members of Congress to cosponsor ELSA. Help ELSA get over the finish line! Take Action Now! Oregon UpdatesInterim Committee DaysLegislators convened in Salem for the first of three batches of interim committee hearing days the last week of September. There are no bills considered during these days, rather the focus of the Committees is largely built on interim implementation updates and priorities for the 2026 Session. More specific highlights are below: Rep. Nosse Omnibus Bill SubmissionThe Oregon Dental Association submitted a Dental Insurance Reform (similar to Senate Bill 532 from the 2025 session) request to be included in Rep. Nosse’s omnibus 2026 bill. Legislators are limited in the number of bills that they are able to introduce in the upcoming short session (2 per legislator, 3 per committee), which means that in some cases, multiple ideas will be combined into a larger package. Changes to the Healthcare CommitteesThe House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee has been split into two separate Committees. Rep. Rob Nosse will continue to chair the Health Care Committee, and Rep. Hai Pham (ODA Member and Pediatric Dentist) has been given the gavel for the new Behavioral Health Committee. The membership on the Health Care Committee remains unchanged for now, with an important flag that Rep. Diehl is now the new Republican Vice Chair of this Committee. Formerly, this position was held by Rep. Javadi (ODA Member and General Dentist), who has changed his party affiliation and will be running as a Democrat in the next election. HR 1 (The Big Beautiful Bill) ImpactsIt seemed that all Interim Committees were discussing impacts of HR 1 in some form this week. In the House Health Committee, Dr. Caroline Zeller (ODA President) joined a panel of independent clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, and discussed the importance of preserving the adult dental benefit, and the impacts that the student loan caps may have the next generation of dentists West Coast Health Alliance- House Healthcare HearingThe Oregon Health Authority’s Director Sejal Hathi presented to the House Health Committee alongside State Epidemiologist, Dean Sidelinger. The two shared about Oregon’s participation in the West Coast Health Alliance, which also includes California, Washington and Hawaii, and was created to ensure that the states’ vaccine access and recommendations are created based on science. While the initial focus of the group was on respiratory vaccines with the upcoming season, OHA staff has previously shared that the group will continue to meet to discuss other vaccine needs. CCO RatesSeparate from HR 1 impacts and forthcoming cuts, there has been significant discussion about CCO rates and rate setting in the last several months. OHA released rates earlier this summer, that were met with significant concerns from CCOs. OHA then released revised rates that averaged at a 10.2% increase (exact rate increases vary depending on the CCO). All but one CCO signed contracts to accept the new rates—with PacificSource being the only one to decline to sign in Lane County. |
