AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS

Support for the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act (HR 1521), which would prohibit dental and vision plans from capping fees on non-covered services Support for reintroduction of the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (S 1677/HR 3277), which would require health insurers to cover treatment, including dental, for patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies.

Support for the Resident Education Deferred (REDI) Act (HR 2028/S 942), which would allow physicians and dentists to defer their student loans interest free during residency.

Support for legislative efforts to provide long term reform to the Medicare physician payment system. Urging CMS to promptly fill the vacant Chief Dental Officer (CDO) position and to ensure that this role remains housed within the Office of the Administrator.

Support for the RAPID Reserve Act (S 2062/HR 3955), which aims to address drug shortages by awarding federal contracts to American-based manufacturers of generic drugs to encourage domestic production of these critical medications as well as incentivize them to increase their reserves in preparation for possible future public health threats or supply chain challenges and ramp up their production capacity if necessary to proactively prevent shortages. Support for the Mapping Americas Pharmaceutical Supply or MAPS Act (S 1784/HR 4191), which seeks conduct a risk assessment and supply chain map of all essential medicines to help identify vulnerabilities and potential national security risks. Support for the reintroduction of the following drug and supply bills from the 118th Congress: The Drug Shortages Prevention and Quality Improvement Act, which aimed to implement reimbursement models to incentivize the production of generic injectables and extend expiration dates for lifesaving medications and the Drug Shortages Prevention Act, which would have required manufacturers to notify the FDA of heightened demand for crucial medicines that could lead to shortages. Encouraging congressional assistance to seek information from the Defense Health Agency, which administers the Tricare program, on the rates used to reimburse participating providers in the TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP).

Commenting against potential tariffs on imports of medical devices and supplies.

Urging the agency to issue clarifying guidance recognizing the entry into the U.S. of H-1B visa dentists and residents - including OMS faculty and OMS residents - as being in the interest of the country, thereby exempting them from the proclamation entitled, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers and the required $100,000 H-1B visa issuance fee.