Representatives for the AAO met with the office of Arizona Rep Paul Gosar as part of its series of meetings with members of Congress who are dentists.
Representatives for the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently met by phone with the office of Rep Paul Gosar (Ariz-4), as part of a series of meetings with members of Congress who are dentists. The discussions focused on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting focused on issues related to PPE availability, federal agency regulations related to COVID-19, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
As in other meetings with dentist members of Congress, the AAO team conveyed that the association supports first priority for PPE for healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 and first responders, but wants to ensure that PPE is also available for orthodontists and staff as practices begin to reopen under state and local guidance.
On the issue of federal regulatory guidance, the AAO expressed its concern that following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal agencies like OSHA and the CDC may seek to make permanent the current interim guidance regarding PPE for medical practices.
And on the issue of PPP loans utilized by many members, the AAO indicated its support for proposals that are currently under consideration by Congress that would allow PPP loan funds to be used for PPE and other similar expenses. Furthermore, the AAO expressed its support for allowing small business dental practices to choose the 8-week period for which they seek forgiveness for the loans and rehire staff before December 31, 2020, instead of requiring them to rehire staff by June 30, 2020.
According to the AAO, Gosar’s office indicated interest in each of these issues and asked to be updated with any developments on these issues.
