Government Affairs

Dear ASDA Member,

In efforts to keep you informed about the 89th General Assembly as it relates to you and your practice, please take the opportunity to review this Dental Issues Update.

HB1672 has been filed and approved in the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce. We’ll keep you informed on its progress. In addition, you may encourage your Senator and Representative for a positive vote. HB1672, which is proudly sponsored by Representatives Ferguson (DDS), Broadaway, and Douglas, is an effort to legally require the following:

  • That a denial of all or part of a dental claim based upon medical necessity shall be made by a dentist licensed in the United States who is a graduate of a Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited program.
  • To facilitate expeditious resolution, the insurer shall provide, upon request, a written communication to the treating dentist with the name, state where licensed, license number, and direct telephone number of the reviewing dentist.

HB1402: Minimum wage hike fails in committee.
Dentists and other small businesses have been uncertain what the new health care law will require of them, and passage of this bill would likely have resulted in unintended consequences to your staff size and payroll obligations.

HB1312 was voted down in House Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs), would have given local control over fluoride levels in water systems and given each public water system the right to determine whether it would adjust the quantity of fluoride in the water. Legislators were convinced that fluoridation efforts may have been thwarted if the bill had passed.

ASDA is currently tracking other issues and legislation of concern. Go to the ASDA Capwiz site for more information.

And if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Billy Tarpley or Drew Ramey at (501) 834-7650.

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The Arkansas State Dental Association is a leader in the health care community with an effective outreach to ensure that its members have a collective and influential voice in state government. ASDA’s grassroots efforts have championed many political issues for its members, including issues related to water supply fluoridation, insurance coverage and scope of practice. The ASDA maintains constant vigilance to defeat harmful legislation and regulation, while working toward solutions to problems related to Medicaid, low-income access, auxiliary education and insurance reform.

ASDA applies the following core values, within the existing political climate of the legislature, to determine its advocacy strategy:

  1. QUALITY: Ensure that the best and highest level of dentistry is provided in a clinically-appropriate setting by a team of trained professional led by the dentist.
  2. ACCESS: Belief that all Arkansans are entitled to the same quality of dental care regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.
  3. PREVENTION: Belief that it is far better to prevent disease rather than treat disease.

2013 Legislative Session Updates:

ASDA Advisor – LEGISLATIVE EDITION   Vol. 6 Issue 2

Helpful Links:

Arkansas Dental Political Action Committee

Arkansas State Legislature – Find information on elected officials and track bills through the legislative process.

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