Our team looks forward to returning to the State Capitol in January for the annual Missouri legislative session to fight for you, your practice and your patients. But the fact remains, we can’t accomplish any of these priorities with you, our members! Advocacy is not a spectator sport, especially when it comes to dental advocacy. Your day-to-day operations, your license requirements, how you are paid and the very care you deliver to your patients is governed by the laws created by our legislators—none of whom are den- tists. For more information about the MDA’s legislative successes and goals, and how you can become an advocate for your profession, visit
modental.org/advocacy.
I want to thank you, our members, for mak- ing these victories possible. Our legisla- tive successes would not happen without your continued advocacy and support of MODentPAC. Our team already is preparing for the next legislative session, and we look forward to continuing to advocate for you. Please also save the dates and plan to join us: February 1, Virtual Town Hall and March 1, Dental Day at the Capitol. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Olivia Wilson is the MDA Legislative Liaison and Lobbyist. Contact her at
olivia@molobby.com.
by Halie Payne, Professional Affairs Director E
lection Day 2022 has come and gone, and with it came some new roles in the Missouri legislature. In the Missouri House, Rep. Dean Plocher will be the Speaker of the House. Rep. Mike Henderson will be Speaker Pro Tem and Rep. Jon Patterson was elected to the
role of House Majority Floor Leader. Rep. Patterson also is a physician, which is great news for the MDA to have a medical professional in leadership. Rep. Crystal Quade will remain as House Minority Floor Leader. In the Missouri Senate, Sen. Caleb Rowden was elected as President Pro Tem, Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin as Majority Floor Leader and Sen. Jason Bean as Assistant Majority Floor Leader. Sen. John Rizzo will continue as Minority Floor Leader and Sen. Doug Beck will serve as Assistant Minority Floor Leader.
As you know, political action committees are an important part of advocacy. In 2022, MODentPAC gave more than $84,000 to 116 candidates in Missouri’s midterm election cycle, with 94 percent of those candidates ultimately winning their general elections. This is great news, as the MDA continues to build strong relationships within the state legislature and work toward advancing the profession.
At this year’s House of Delegates, MODentPAC held its second annual “Big Hearts” competition, a chance for component societies to show their collective generosity. The component with the largest average contribution per capita takes home a trophy and bragging rights. This year, the Northeast Dental Society took the win and collectively more than $11,000 was raised. While this was a nice boost to our PAC balance, MODentPAC will need to start preparing for the 2024 election cycle. Thanks to MDA’s lobbying team, members and staff, the MDA had great legislative success in 2022 and is looking to repeat it in 2023. As one of the strongest healthcare PACs in the state, MODentPAC allows the Association to build positive relationships with key lawmakers, contributing to our future legislative success.
Encourage your colleagues to donate to MODentPAC and participate in our upcoming advo- cacy events February 1 and March 1. Giving to MODentPAC has never been easier. You can pay with credit card, check or Venmo. Call the MDA to contribute one time or to set up monthly contributions, or give online at
modental.org/givetopac.
Contact Halie at
halie@modentalmail.org. FEBRUARY 1 MARCH 1
SAVE THE DATES
MODENTAL.ORG/ADVOCACY
ISSUE 6 | NOV/DEC 2022 | focus 19
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 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
