FOCUS | ISSUE 3 | 2010


Missouri dentists attend annual ADA Washington


Leadership Conference Conference goals twofold: Opportunity for advocacy education for attendees, grassroots lobbying by member dentists on Capitol Hill


by Robert Butler, DDS • State ADPAC Chairperson


A Missouri group of Action Team Leaders, as well as other interested MDA members, attended the ADA Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. April 10-12.


We were well represented by our Sixth District ADPAC board member Dr. Charley McGinty, Joplin; as well, each congressional and senatorial district has an Action Team Leader (for a total of 11 from Missouri). Aaron Washburn, MDA assistant executive director, attended as the staff liaison, or, as some would rightfully infer, as the ring leader.


The keynote speaker for the conference was Dr. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) who is an ADA member. His message to the group of more than 500 attendees was that he’s in Congress to bring ADA’s goals forward and wants to work with the ADA to accomplish that effort.


The three major issues of the conference were repealing the McCarron- Ferguson Act (it provides insurance companies exception from anti-trust proceeding), stopping the implementation of the Red Flag rules and in- troducing H.R. 5000 (would ban insurance companies from capping fees on non-covered dental services). After a rocky start, a group of Missouri dentists lead by Dr. Joe Boain (Florissant) were able to educate and con- vince Congressman Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) to cosponsor H.R. 5000.


All the members of the delegation attended the ADA’s Give Kids A Smile reception in the new U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center where Congress- man John Dingell, Michigan, and Senator Chuck Grassley, Iowa, were recognized for their leadership on oral health issues. During the trip, the group enjoyed a wonderful dinner where they discussed issues, shared ideas and fostered camaraderie; the meal was graciously sponsored by Missouri Dental Insurance Services.


Missouri Action Team Leaders included (in no order; some not pictured) Drs. Elwood Rice (Christopher Bond); Lynne Barbour (Claire McCaskill); Joe Boain (William [Lacy] Clay); Mark Zust (Todd Akin); Robert Butler (Russ Carnahan); Robert Tait (Ike Skelton); Merle Nunemaker (Emanuel Cleaver); Rolfe McCoy (Sam Graves ); Nathan Bauer (Roy Blunt); Darren Mahaffey (Jo Ann Emerson); George Bailey (Blaine Luetkemeyer); Charles McGinty (Sixth District ADPAC Board Member). Additional participating MDA members included Drs. Cheryl Haley and Nancy Newhouse.


MDA members presented Senator Kit Bond with a certificate of appreciation to honor his nearly 40 years of public service. Senator Bond who will be retiring at the end of 2010. From left, Dr. Nathan Bauer, Springfield; Dr. Charley McGinty, Joplin; Senator Kit Bond; Dr. Elwood Rice, Mexico; and, Dr. Joe Boain, Florissant.


2010 L EGI S LAT IVE PRIORI T I E S Dental Coverage Value and Transparency Act


Prohibits health plans from dictating fees for procedures that the plan does not cover.


• Requires health plans provide uniform coordination of benefits; When a consumer is covered by more than one plan, the secondary payer should be responsible for paying the remainder of the claim


• Prohibits bundling and down-coding of procedures


• Permits consumers to designate payment of benefits to a provider who is not participating in the network


• Filed during the Washington Leadership Conference


We urge members to cosponsor the Dental Coverage Value and Transparency Act, H.R. 5000.


12 Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act


The McCarran-Ferguson Act adversely affects the public by exempting insurers from some federal anti-trust laws.


• Would Bring the insurance industry in line with other American businesses by eliminating the special treatment granted to insurance institutions almost 65 years ago


• Passed the U.S. House by an overwhelming 406-19 vote We urge the U.S. Senate to move quickly to pass H.R. 4626.


The ADA monitors more than 4,000 legislative bills annually and always has a seat at the table fighting


for measures that advance the public’s oral health and maintaining a positive environment for dentistry. www.ADA.org/advocacy.aspx


Exempt Small Businesses from the Red Flags Rules


The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA) requires financial institutions and creditors to develop and implement written identity theft programs; Within those rules, the FTC determined dentists and other health care professionals should be covered under this law. This interpretation goes beyond the intent of Congress.


• The FTC has failed to consider the financial impact this could have on the oral health care delivery system: An estimated $72 million, most or all of which could be passed on to patients


• The U.S. House passed H.R. 3763 by a 400-0 vote and the Senate successfully added this exemption to the Restoring American Financial Stability Act (S. 3217).


We urge the U.S. Senate to move quickly to pass H.R. 3763.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34