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WHAT IS CalHyPAC?
CalHyPAC is the Political Action Committee created by the California Dental Hygienists' Association.
CalHyPAC is a voluntary, non-profit, political advocacy committee.
CalHyPAC is an essential part of CDHA's
government
relations program
CalHyPAC supports legislators who share the interest, concerns and goals of the
dental hygiene profession.
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CalHyPAC
Committee
Jackie Buchanan
Heidi Coggan
Elena Gimpel
Kathy Kane
Blanco Pareto
Karen Hays
Carole Ryan
Katie Dawson, GRC liaison
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Dear Colleague,
CalHyPAC, the Political Action Committee of the California Dental Hygienists' Association is sending this newsletter because we want to continue to provide you with the latest information about legislation affecting dental hygiene in California and let you know how you can help. We hope that you will enjoy this newsletter and will forward it to your friends.
Please join us in our efforts to continue to have a strong voice in Sacramento.
To find out more about CalHyPAC, please visit the CDHA website.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CALIFORNIA 
Governor fills Dental Hygienist position on the Dental Board.
Katie Dawson, RDHAP, was appointed to the Dental Board by Governor Brown on Friday, April 5, 2013. Her curriculum vitae is most impressive having been president of ADHA and CDHA. She received the ADHA Award for Excellence in 2012. Katie previously served on the dental board of California when appointed by Governor Davis in 2001.
We are so lucky to have Katie represent the consumers of
California as the dental hygienist member of the dental board.
To see more info on Katie and the other dental board members click here
Sunset Review
In January 2014, the state legislature will review the Dental Hygiene Practice Act. Over the next two years the Dental Hygiene Committee of California (DHCC), the California Dental Hygienists' Association and other health care stake holders will be addressing the effectiveness of the DHCC and the need for its continued existence. CDHA and our legislative advocates will be prominent participants in the Sunset Review process.
The Affordable Care Act
In Governor Jerry Brown's January 2012 State of the State address he announced one of the challenges will be implementing the federal Affordable Care Act. A special session of the state legislature has been called to address health reform implementation and Medicaid expansion.
In preparation of these new health care benefit options, dentistry, dental hygiene, and other health care providers must position themselves to respond to and address legislation to increase access to care for the consumers of California.
The CDHA and our legislative advocates will be active participants in the discussions on implementing the federal Affordable Care Act.
Increasing Access to Care
CDHA's Government Relations Committee anticipates the California legislature will be open to addressing the expansion of the scope of practice of dental hygienists and other health care auxiliaries to respond to the tremendous need for the delivery of health care to the underserved populations of California. The CDHA and our legislative advocates will be actively involved during these legislative sessions.
New Changes in regulations for Dental Hygienists in California
There are new changes in the regulations pertaining to dental hygienists that were enacted starting January 2013. Go to the DHCC website: www.dhcc.ca.gov to see the new provisions and to view the first electronic DHCC newsletter.
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Current California
Legislation
AB 1174 (Bocanegra) -Oral Health: virtual dental homes was introduced and read for the first time in February. This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would incorporate into law the new duties of dental assistants and dental hygienists being tested in a specified pilot project and addresses barriers to expanding the Virtual Dental Home System of care, as specified, as a cost-effective mechanism to improve the oral health of California's most underserved and vulnerable citizens.
AB 318 (Logue) -Would enact provisions relating to the definition and the uses of teledentistry under the Medi-Cal program.
SB 694 (Padilla) This bill was sponsored by the Children's Partnership. It was held in committee at the close of the 2012 legislative session rather than sent to the governor's office for signature. The bill died and was not reintroduced. This bill would have established a State Dental Director and also created a study of a variety of avenues for creating new categories of dental auxiliaries to enhance workforce providing oral health care to children.
Bills are amended often so to find out what is happening to specific bills in the Senate and Assembly, go to www.leginfo.ca.gov and type in the bill number.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING NATIONALLY
Visit the new redesigned ADHA website to get the latest information on the following:
- Legislative tracking by state and by type of legislation
- State efforts- regulatory boards and legislation
- Federal efforts- workforce models/advanced practice and health reform provisions
- Practice issues - scope of practice, direct access, reimbursement, and ADHA position papers
Go to www.adha.org/advocacy
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CalHyPAC News
Last November, Californians elected the largest number of new legislators (38) to the Assembly. There are a total of 40 Assembly members (two year term) and 80 Senators (four year term -half of the seats are up for election every other election cycle).
CalHyPAC donated to twenty-nine legislative races last year after careful deliberation with our legislative advocates. We need to build relationships with legislators who share CDHA's vision of improving health care for all Californians. We are anticipating that many bills will be introduced in the legislature affecting the scope of practice for the dental hygienist so that we can better meet the needs of the underserved. These are exciting times!
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CalHyPAC meeting January 2013
Left: Katie Dawson ( GRC liaison), Heidi Coogan, Carole Ryan,Susan Lopez (CDHA President), Elena Gimpel and Jenifer McDonald (CDHA's new executive administrator)
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Aaron Read and Associates The California Dental Hygienists' Association has retained the legislative advocacy firm of Aaron Read and Associates since 1984 to help us work  | | Aaron Read, legislative advocate |
with legislative leaders, state agencies, the Dental Hygiene Committee of California ( DHCC ) and other associations. Together we promote state policies encouraging increased availability of oral health care, to improve laws and regulations that protect the public's oral health and enhance the practice of dental hygiene. CDHA's executive officers, the Government Relations Council (GRC) and the CalHyPAC commttee work closely with legislative advocates Mr. Aaron Read and Mr.Terry McHale. |
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************************************************** ADVOCACY
Advocacy is an important component in any organization and for its members to make legislators aware of their positions on policy issues. As a licensed profession governed
by state practice acts and rules, dental hygiene is directly impacted by many policy issues that shape day-to-day dental hygiene practice and the delivery of oral health care services.
Issues requiring advocacy in California are: scope of practice, access to care, continuing education and reimbursement under Denti-Cal. Your involvement as a dental hygiene professional is critical to the success of any advocacy effort!
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
Want to help CDHA be successful in having a strong voice in Sacramento about the issues we care about?
- You can donate money to CalHyPAC We welcome donations from members, friends, potential members, and non-members.
- You can write letters to your legislators about legislation affecting dental hygiene.
- Join your professional organization. Numbers count when CDHA and our legislative advocacy firm represent dental hygienists in Sacramento.
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WANT TO DONATE?
Send checks payable to CalHyPAC
c/o Elena Gimpel, RDH, Treasurer
44279 Cabo Street
Temecula, Ca 92592
Fair Political Practice Act requires that you include your name, address, occupation and name of employer on your check. Your contributions are not deductible for state or federal income tax purposes.
QUESTIONS?
EMAIL : CALHYPAC@GMAIL.COM
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