The U.S. had one of its most surprising election nights ever on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Donald Trump became the first Republican presidential nominee to win Wisconsin since 1984 and became the president-elect of the United States.
Wisconsin also returned U.S. Senator Ron Johnson to office for another six-year term, while re-electing all of our Congressional incumbents. Mike Gallagher, a Republican, was elected to replace the retiring Reid Ribble in the Green Bay-based 8th Congressional District. Additionally, an American Dental Association member dentist from Georgia was elected to Congress; four dentists now serve in the U. S. House of Representatives.
What does it all mean? The short answer is that, for organized dentistry, a Republican-controlled Congress is likely to mean fewer regulations and a more business-friendly climate. However, other issues like Medicaid and Medicare funding, where dentistry has traditionally been neglected, will have to remain at the forefront of our lobbying agenda to ensure harmful cuts are not made and patient access is protected. The new Congress and administration also provides an opportunity to reconsider regulations like Section 1557 and larger overall changes to the Affordable Care Act.
On a state level, the GOP majorities in both houses were expanded. While the overall partisan composition did not change much, the composition, particularly in the Wisconsin Senate, provides an opportunity for the Wisconsin Dental Association to make new inroads. New members include Patrick Testin, who defeated Sen. Julie Lassa, and Dan Feyen, who will fill the seat left by former Sen. Rick Gudex.
16 years and counting for a MA increase