More than 60 members of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and representatives from the National Dental Association and American Orthodontic Society attended the AGD's annual Government Relations Conference in Washington, DC, April 12 and 13.
During the two-day conference, attendees met with legislators from both political parties to discuss topics such as alternative dental healthcare providers, the lack of practicing dentists on Institute of Medicine (IOM) panels, and the Dental Coverage Value and Transparency Act's Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) provisions, among others.
Conference attendees had the opportunity to hear presentations from Morton Kondracke, a local journalist for more than 30 years, executive editor of Roll Call, and a regular contributor to public affairs programming; and J.P. Paluskiewicz, deputy chief of staff and health policy advisor to Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX). Paluskiewicz oversees the congressman's legislative agenda and acts as chief advisor in all public policy issues.
Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (R-AZ) -- a special guest due to his dual role as politician and dentist -- spoke about encouraging dialogue within the profession and with elected officials, the success of the 1099 repeal, and many other opportunities for change. Rep. Gosar sponsored the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act in an effort to repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act, a federal law that exempts the insurance business from most federal regulation.
Additionally, in recognition of his outstanding legislative achievements throughout the past year, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) received the Legislator of the Year Award. Sen. Leahy also has been a strong leader in a cause that is very important to the AGD: the repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act.
