AED Update (7/5/11)

The LA State Board of Dentistry (LSBD) is considering recommending AEDs for dental offices but has delayed implementation for further discussion. The types of practices that will be required to have AEDs and the effective date is to be determined. 

2011 Legislative Session Comes to an End

July 12, 2011

            The Louisiana Legislature wrapped up its 2011 regular session and adjourned sine die on Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 6 p.m.

            The legislative session that just concluded was unusual for the LDA in that we had relatively few important issues to lobby. Most of the issues on which we were prepared to play defense (e.g., med mal cap changes, fluoridation mandate repeal, licensing of foreign-born dentists) were never translated into actual language in a bill. So, though we closely monitored about a dozen bills and resolutions (and tracked 40-50 more), there were only two key issues to really occupy our attention: dental Medicaid funding and tuition increase authority for the LSU Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), which includes LSUSD. Those two issues turned out to be MORE than enough to keep things interesting, though.

            On HB 1, the state appropriations bill, the LDA found itself in the middle of a contest of wills between the Jindal administration and House Republicans, led by Speaker Jim Tucker. Essentially, the House amended the budget submitted by the administration to eliminate funding for the Department of Health and Hospitals’ (DHH) new Coordinated Care Networks. DHH and Governor Jindal’s principal advisors insisted this cut would also mean a loss of federal matching funds and result in significant reductions in reimbursement rates paid to private providers (including dentists) and/or elimination of some programs (like adult dentures). The House leadership maintained the cuts were largely offset by funds “swept” from other dedicated accounts, and that those funds could be used to draw down federal match and forestall provider cuts. While the administration’s arguments were inconsistent, a consensus arose among lawmakers and provider groups that they were generally correct.

            However, House Republicans were adamantly opposed to using contingent or one-time funding mechanisms (e.g., money from prison sales) to plug the holes. Finally, the Senate Finance Committee, with LOTS of help from the committee’s staff, resolved the issue by artfully shuffling funds to match one-time revenue with non-recurring expenses. The full Senate passed the bill in that form, and the House concurred in the Senate amendments. So as it was sent to the governor, HB 1 includes sufficient funding for Medicaid such that any cuts to dental Medicaid programs should be precluded. 

            The $25 billion FY2012 state budget is a compromise between the governor and lawmakers. The budget reduces spending in most state agencies and requires them to absorb inflationary costs. The budget maintains the same level of funding for higher education and K-12 schools as they had in FY2011, meaning that they too must compensate for inflation with their reduced funding. One notable difference from prior budgets is that the FY2012 spending plan has no "member amendments," or spending earmarked for specific projects in the districts of influential legislators. It was said to be the first time in recent memory that there were no such amendments. HB 1 has been signed by the governor; however, there was a line item veto that stripped legislative oversight of Coordinated Care Networks.

            HB 549 and HB 628 followed on the heels of the Grad Act passed during the 2010 Legislative Session. The 2010 bill was integral in allowing the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry (LSUSD) to address some of the financial issues that resulted from budget cuts over the last three years.

            However, the school is still far from being where it needs to be in recouping lost funding and covering increased mandated costs. In comparison to the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) average for tuition, LSUSD has the lowest resident tuition in the SREB and is $7,956 below the average. And, given the 10% annual cap on increases per the Grad Act and the current disparities in the average tuition and annual tuition increase (SREB, 10% and LSUSD, 6%), it would be impossible for the LSUSD to reach the SREB average. So, the ability to increase tuition significantly above the Grad Act is of great importance to the future of the LSUSD.

            HB 628 gave the LSU Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) the authority to raise tuition for the two medical schools and the dental school by another 5% over the Grad Act. Though there were delays due to everything from miscommunications to political gamesmanship, HB 628 passed with no amendments and was signed into law on June 28, 2011.

            Meanwhile, HB 549, which made revisions to the original Grad Act, was inadvertently amended to strip LSUHSC of its authority to increase tuition by the original 10%. Even more than HB 628, this bill became mired in procedural issues and gamesmanship that left LSUHSC officials exasperated. Ultimately, the objectionable provisions in the amendments were corrected and the bill passed without adverse effect on LSUHSC. Grad Act 2.0, as it has been called, was signed into law on July 12, 2011.

            There are many other bills that the LDA monitored throughout session. If you have questions pertaining to a certain bill that was not covered in this report, call the LDA at (800) 388-6642 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can visit the state’s legislative website at www.legis.state.la.us.

            Thanks to all the LDA members who used the LDA Grassroots Action Center powered by Capwiz on our website to help lobby for or against the bills that impacted dentistry. Grassroots participation is essential to the LDA’s lobbying efforts, and all members are encouraged to use this service in the future. Capwiz makes it quick and easy for you to have your voice heard in the Louisiana Legislature!