ADA thanks Rep. Huizenga for HEROES Act

Washington — The ADA is thanking Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., for introducing legislation to assist health care workers serving on the front lines of COVID-19.

The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Emergency Situations Act, known as the HEROES Act, calls for Congress to provide a four-month federal income tax holiday for health care workers.

In an April 10 letter to Rep. Huizenga, ADA President Chad P. Gehani and Executive Director Kathleen T. O’Loughlin thanked the lawmaker for the bill, and noted that the Association was one of the first organizations to recommend dentists postpone all nonemergency procedures at the onset of the pandemic.

“As a result, dentists are only seeing patients for emergencies to slow community spread, preserve medical supplies, as well as alleviate emergency departments as much as possible from anything not related to COVID-19,” Drs. Gehani and O’Loughlin wrote. “As the pandemic continues, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has classified dental health care personnel in the very high exposure risk category and the ability to fully reopen dental practices is more contingent on the ability to completely control the coronavirus pandemic in a relatively short period of time.”

“As dentists across the country continue to navigate the unique challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, a tax holiday for all health care personnel is greatly appreciated as you continue to work on the HEROES Act. We are pleased your legislative staff has let us know that you intend to include dentists in the group of professionals covered by this legislation. We look forward to continuing to work with you and your staff to ensure dental practices can move our economy forward and provide essential oral health care to their patients,” the letter concluded.

For the latest updates about issues surrounding COVID-19, visit ADA.org/virus.