Plans to Restructure the NIH

The 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes plans to restructure the National Institutes of Health. The plan includes reducing the number of Institutes and Centers within the National Institutes of Health from 27 to 15, including eliminating the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Under the plan, the work would be folded into a new organization, the National Institute on Neuroscience and Brain Research.

ASDA, as well as the ADA and ADEA, are against the proposed restructuring of NIH. NIDCR is the nation’s primary biomedical and behavioral research and research training organization specializing in dental, oral, and craniofacial health. Folding its work into another Institute could impact progress and innovation in the craniofacial health field.

ASDA will monitor restructuring plans and provide updates on any opportunities to take action against the proposed plans.

Ohio Becomes 10th State to Join the DDH Compact

On July 24, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation permitting the state to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist (DDH) Compact. Ohio becomes the tenth state to enter the Compact joining Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Maine, Virginia, Iowa, Washington, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

The bill also included provisions for non-covered services reform to help protect dentists from unfair insurance practices.

Learn more about the Ohio bill.

Learn more about the DDH Compact.

Florida Bill Permits Licensure by Endorsement

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill, on July 1, that allows for all professions regulated by the state’s Department of Health who hold an out-of-state license to apply for licensure by endorsement, including dentists and dental hygienists. Requirements for licensure by endorsement include:

• Hold an active, unencumbered license issued by another U.S. jurisdiction in a profession with a similar scope of practice as determined by DOH or the appropriate board;
• Actively practiced the profession for at least three years during the four-year period immediately preceding the application submission;
• Obtained a passing score on a national licensure examination or holds a national certification recognized by the appropriate board;
• Have not had disciplinary action taken against him or her in the five years preceding the application submission application; and
• Met other requirements outlined in the bill.

Oregon Ups Medicaid Income Limit

The Oregon Health Authority launched the Oregon Health Plan Bridge. The program is a new health plan for adults with higher incomes. It provides medical, dental and behavioral health care under Medicaid for individuals who earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

Most states that expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act cover individuals who earn up to 138% FPL. Oregon joins Minnesota and New York in expanding coverage for individuals with higher incomes.