By Jennifer Goodrum, CDA Lobbyist
From the Winter 2021 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association
While January typically brings the start of another fairly predictable 100-day legislative session in Colorado, 2021 may part with that trend.
At the end of 2020, rumors continued to swirl about what the regular legislative session, slated to convene Jan. 13 and adjourn on May 12, 2021, would look like. There was talk of the legislature conducting opening day ceremonies for swearing in legislators (gaveling in) and then adjourning (gaveling out) until COVID transmission was more under control (with committee work possibly continuing in the interim). There was also talk of the legislature continuing essentially normal operations with enhanced remote participation options. There was talk of a hybrid session that would blend elements of both models. All this said, the legislature’s one concrete timeline constraint is that they must adopt the state budget by June 30, 2021. And the only certain thing about the 2021 session is that much will continue to change in reaction to the pandemic.
When the legislature does convene, the legislative body will look much the same as it did in the last two years, as there were few changes to leadership or partisan balances in the 2020 election. Democrats retain control of both legislative chambers (House and Senate), as well as the Governor’s office.
Legislative leadership priorities are anticipated to include ongoing COVID recovery and relief efforts, continued state budget constraint conversations, increased support for K-12 education, FAMLI medical leave provisions, continued criminal justice reforms, and energy and climate change efforts. We can also expect some ongoing fireworks in the state Capitol around COVID policies including mask wearing requirements and desires to limit executive emergency powers.
In the healthcare space, the costs of drugs and health insurance premiums will continue to come under scrutiny, with options being proposed to reduce consumer impacts. Hospital visitation rights, mental health access and opioid epidemic impacts are likely to be continued priorities, especially considering the COVID pandemic’s impact in each of these areas. Bills regarding peer assistance programs, corporate practice of medicine and telehealth are also likely.
For dentistry specifically, the CDA’s initial priorities include:
- Restoring funding for dental benefits, including the adult Medicaid dental cap and low-income senior dental program, as possible under state fiscal constraints.
- Reauthorizing ITR and SDF procedures by dental hygienists and making appropriate adjustments to protocols following a sunset review of the procedures.
- Ensuring payment parity for telehealth services delivered at a dental office during the COVID pandemic and beyond.
- Adding dentists to healthcare provider types that may aid in administering COVID vaccines.
- Supporting physicians in assuring ongoing confidentiality for any healthcare provider who self-refers to a peer assistance program.
As always, the CDA will be monitoring and responding to numerous other proposed bills to ensure that dentists’ interests are protected.