A coalition of more than 150 oral health and advocacy groups wrote letters to U.S. House and Senate leaders urging them to support the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act, which would make comprehensive dental care a mandatory part of adult Medicaid coverage in every state.
In the letters, the coalition addressed how the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act could improve health equity and how the lack of dental coverage within Medicaid "threatens national prosperity," according to an April 12 news release from the American Dental Association, who is also part of the coalition.
"By advancing the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act, lawmakers can promote a sustainable economic recovery and reduce vast health inequities by guaranteeing dental coverage to all adults who count on Medicaid, no matter where they live," the letters said.
The bill was introduced in February by Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland.