Letter to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, and Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Leader - Fitzpatrick Advocates for Relief to Aid Dental Practitioners, Other Local Medical Practices

Letter

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy:

I write to bring to your attention the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on dental practices and note possible solutions that should be included in the next relief bill. Many dentists in my district are struggling during this pandemic, and their practices will need continued support in the next relief package.

Dental care is essential healthcare, yet I understand that many practices have closed with others only treating emergency cases. Dentistry is not reimbursed under Medicare, so most practices do not have as much financial liquidity as physician practices.

Many dental practices have received Paycheck Protection Program funds (PPP) and will likely need additional support from this program. I would also like to see practices be permitted to deduct their losses for tax purposes by carrying the loss forward to a future tax year. This kind of relief will enable practices to offset future profits with this year's losses, which would provide financial relief for constituents in my district as their practices recover over the next few years.

Since dental care is a social determinant of overall health, assistance for those that treat underserved populations is critically needed. Increasing the availability of dental care as an offset to the high cost of care and lack of insurance should be a priority. Dental practices will also need resources to address unmet and delays in care because of the pandemic.

I appreciate your attention to this request and for taking into consideration the concerns of the dental practices across my district. Please contact my office (215-579-8102) if you have any questions regarding this letter.

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