State Update

On September 27, Gov. Jerry Brown (D-CA) signed into law A.B. 1174. The new law adds teledentristy to a list of specialty health care services for which face-to-face contact is not required in order to claim... Click Here To Read More

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled on October 14 to take up a case brought by the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

As you recall, on March 3, the U.S. Supreme Court ... Click Here To Read More

The National Governors Association (NGA) announced that Alabama, Nevada and Washington will participate in a year-long project to examine ways to spur changes in how states pay for Medicaid and other health care services.

Participating states will work with experts within... Click Here To Read More

On September 8, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) announced his 10-step plan to expand health care services to over 200,000 Virginians. Following the Virginia General Assembly’s failure, during legislative and special sessions, to pass legislation expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, Gov. McAuliffe is optimistic that this plan will... Click Here To Read More

Generally, individuals and families may buy marketplace health insurance only during the annual open enrollment period. Following are key dates for the health insurance marketplace: 

• November 15, 2014: 2015 open enrollment starts
• December 31, 2014:

On September 25, Gov. Jerry Brown (D-CA) signed AB 1962 into law. AB 1962, authored by Assembly Member Nancy Skinner (D-CA), establishes standardized requirements for dental plans to disclose how they spend patient... Click Here To Read More

The National Governors Association (NGA) announced the new leadership of NGA’s five standing committees for the 2014–2015 year. NGA Chair Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and NGA Vice Chair Gov. Gary Herbert (R-UT) made the following appointments: 

Education and Workforce... Click Here To Read More

On August 22, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that hydrocodone combination products (HCPs), which include opioids such as Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab and Norco, will be reclassified as Schedule II substances and subject to tighter restrictions. HCPs had previously... Click Here To Read More

• California
  
  Legislation allowing California’s community colleges to offer four-year degrees where a demonstrated local workforce need can be shown was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D-CA) on September 28.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report examining use of selected clinical preventive services in the United States, including a focus on the provision of dental services and preventive... Click Here To Read More