n letters to U.S. House and Senate leaders, a coalition of more than 150 national, state and local oral health and advocacy organizations, including the American Dental Association, urged congressional leaders to co-sponsor and work to advance the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act (S. 570/H.R. 1342), which would make comprehensive dental care a mandatory component of Medicaid coverage for adults in every state.
“Oral health coverage is a glaring hole in Medicaid benefits that are otherwise a lifeline to millions of adults and families,” the letters stated. “Adult dental coverage is optional for state Medicaid programs. … As a result, oral health coverage for adults varies widely across states, and some states don’t cover it at all. This puts care out of reach for millions of people, especially given that adults with low incomes confront the greatest cost barriers to oral health care out of any age or income group.”
The coalition also said adding adult dental coverage to Medicaid is key to advancing racial, economic and health justice and that coverage for adults could alleviate needless suffering while also advancing equity.
Source: Coalition urges lawmakers to pass Medicaid Dental Benefit Act / American Dental Association