“Three Things You Missed in Government This Week” is designed to offer a way to stay informed on the topics of the week. These brief updates are meant to offer brief details on legislative or regulatory topics to keep dentists engaged and up to date. To explore the ADA’s latest advocacy efforts, more information is available at ADA.org/Advocacy.
1. A bill was reintroduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that would allow medical and dental students to defer payments on federal student loans and delay interest accrual until after completing their residency programs. The ADA sent letters March 17 thanking officials for introducing the legislation, known as the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act.
2. The ADA is urging Congress to swiftly pass The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, which is dedicated to preventing suicide and reducing occupational burnout, mental health conditions and stress for health care professionals. Initially authorized in 2022, the bipartisan legislation is the first and only federal law dedicated to preventing suicide and reducing burnout and stress for health care professionals.
3. The Arkansas Senate passed the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, Senate Bill 111, on March 20. This multistate agreement supports license portability by allowing professionals to practice in participating states without having to obtain multiple individual state licenses. The legislation now heads to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ desk for final passage, likely making it the first state join the compact in 2025.
Source: 3 things in government you missed this week / ADA News