The summary below was generated by AskAI, an artificial intelligence tool from FastDemocracy, trained on transcripts generated from publicly-available video and audio recordings of official government debate, made using TranscriptAI.
To learn more about AskAI and Transcript AI, or any of FastDemocracy’s other legislative tracking tools, reach out to nicole@fastdemocracy.com or click here.
Here are the most discussed topics in North Dakota this week:
- Dental Workforce Shortages and Medicaid Dental Services: The 69th Legislative Interim – Health Care Committee discussed a comprehensive dental and oral healthcare study that explored the feasibility of establishing a dental school in North Dakota. Current dental education programs exist at North Dakota State College of Science and Dakota College at Bottineau, with Bismarck State College also seeking accreditation. The majority of dentists in North Dakota graduated from schools in Minnesota (42%) or Nebraska (22%) as of 2016. North Dakota faces a significant shortage, with only 48 dentists per 100,000 people in 2024, and 68 dental care health professional shortage area designations, requiring 12 additional practitioners to eliminate these shortages. The state’s aging population and projected dentist retirements further exacerbate the need for more dentists. Rachel Buckwitz, the North Dakota Medicaid Dental Administrator, presented on Medicaid Dental Services, noting that North Dakota has the lowest number of dentists per 100,000 people (50.5) compared to neighboring states. Medicaid dental rates were last rebased in 2009 and have since increased approximately 42%. Efforts are underway to conduct dental clinic outreach in various cities to address access barriers.
- Health Insurance Mandates and Legislative Process Clarity: The committee examined the legislative process for health insurance mandates, emphasizing the need for clarity in defining mandates and streamlining the process. A memorandum on Historical Healthcare Mandates, analyzing current mandates as directed by Senate Bill 2249, was presented. It was highlighted that state mandates apply only to state-regulated health plans, while self-insured plans fall under federal law. The discussion included the rising number of proposed measures impacting the health insurance market and the importance of thorough analysis and communication. Dylan Wheeler from Sanford Health Plan discussed the definition of mandates and proposed creating a standard presumption of coverage mandates. North Dakota has an above-average attention to health insurance mandates compared to some neighboring states like South Dakota and Iowa, but less than Minnesota.
- Breast Cancer Screening Mandates: Bobbi Will, Policy and Advocacy Manager with Susan G. Komen, advocated for breast cancer screening legislation, highlighting the confusion and delays patient advocacy groups face within the state’s mandate study process. Legislation aimed at ensuring no-cost sharing for diagnostic screenings (as a continuation of screening) was repeatedly classified as a mandate, even though it was not a new service or provider type. This delayed implementation for North Dakotans in the commercial market, with potential implementation as late as 2029 for legislation first introduced in 2023. During this period, the state saw late-stage cancer cases increase from 28% to 30%, incurring significant annual costs. Recent changes in HRSA guidelines now mandate diagnostic screening at no cost share, and major insurers like Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Sanford have begun covering diagnostic screenings at no cost share as of January 1st.
- Electronic Prior Authorization: The North Dakota Hospital Association, represented by Tim Blausel, presented on electronic prior authorization, following up on previous discussions. The committee reviewed changes to prior authorization processes for dental services, which aim to reduce administrative burdens. Specifically, requirements for prior authorization were removed for urgent or emergent dental services, such as the removal of reaction-producing foreign bodies and the placement of an intra-socket biological dressing. Additionally, scaling in the presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation, which previously required authorization, has now been added to frequency limitations to prevent delays in patient care and potential claim denials. Periodontal scaling and root planing also no longer require service authorization.
Sources:
ND 69th Legislative Interim – Health Care Committee (2026-02-12)(video)