News
July 2016
became one of the most successful months for NADP advocacy efforts.
After three years of consistent campaigns, the Internal Revenue Service
released an updated proposed regulation to clarify the dental
calculation for the Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC).
While IRS almost never revisits or amends regulations, NADP did not
falter and instead pulled together a coalition of consumers, providers
and carriers, which continued to pursue advocacy efforts, eventually
leading to the recent IRS change.
NADP has provided a detailed summary
of the proposed rule, and while some questions still linger, overall we
are very pleased with the proposed rule. We will have discussions with
IRS to clarify our inquiries and our comments (there is a 60-day comment
period) will likely recommend a shorter implementation timeline.
Also this month, we saw the introduction of U.S. 3244, a Senate bill addressing Equitable Treatment.
As a companion bill to HR 3463 “Aligning Children’s Dental Coverage”
(ACDC), the legislation is the next critical step towards passage. S.
3244 was introduced by Sens. Roberts (R-KS) and Bennett (D-CO) who are
members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee
which has oversight of the legislation. NADP will be working with
members later this summer and into the fall in gathering Senate
co-sponsors.