Comprehensive Dental Care Reform Act of 2024

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Last month, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) introduced the Comprehensive Dental Care Reform Act of 2024, a significant bill aimed at expanding dental coverage for millions of Americans. This legislation aligns with a similar proposal by Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) to enhance dental care access for individuals enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, the individual market, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dingell emphasized the importance of dental care in her statement, noting that inadequate dental coverage can exacerbate serious health issues. "This comprehensive legislation will make it easier for Americans to access the dental care they need, especially in rural and underserved areas," she stated.

The bill aims to address critical gaps in dental coverage. According to Melissa Burroughs from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, it will include dental care as a Medicare benefit, which currently leaves around 24 million Americans without coverage. It will also ensure that adult dental benefits are recognized as essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act and improve access to dental care for veterans.

Burroughs expressed hope that this legislation could gain traction, although she doesn’t expect it to advance in the current Congress without being part of a larger healthcare package that offsets costs through savings from other reforms.

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The push for enhanced dental care access is gaining momentum, particularly among Democrats. Recent hearings and ongoing discussions highlight the importance of dental coverage in the broader healthcare context. Burroughs pointed out the relevance of dental health in critical medical situations, such as organ transplants.

Despite this momentum, dental care has not been a prominent topic in presidential campaigns, even though polling indicates strong public support for expanding Medicare to include dental benefits. This support spans various voter demographics, including those in key states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.