AIDPH Provides Written Testimony on Senate Committee Dental Crisis Hearing

Testimony Offers Policy Solutions for Veterans, People with Disabilities, LGBTQIA+ People, and Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / May 29, 2024 / The American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing oral health justice and equity, submitted written testimony for a senate hearing on the US healthcare crisis driven by the accessibility and affordability of dental care.

AIDPH’s testimony highlighted data-driven policy solutions to address access to dental care for underserved populations – especially its core focus groups of veterans, rural communities, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ community – and ensure nobody is left behind in accessing affordable oral health services.

“The dental care crisis in America is not just a failure of health; it is a failure of justice,” Annaliese Cothron, AIDPH Executive Director, said. “Our testimony has outlined the dire state of oral health in our nation and its disproportionate impact on our most vulnerable populations. These disparities are not just alarming; they are a clear indication of our current system failures and a call to action for policy solutions.”

While out-of-pocket costs for dental care have slowly decreased over time, consumers are still paying 41 cents of every dollar spent on dental care throughout the US: the highest among all healthcare costs. Additionally, over 79 million Americans live in a dental health professional shortage area without adequate workforce to meet dental needs.

AIDPH proposed the following policy solutions:

1. Expand Medicaid and Medicare to require comprehensive dental benefits, evaluating expansion under Medicare Parts B and D.
2. Increase the oral health workforce through funding, incentives, and loan repayment programs.
3. Finance an integrated, value-based dental care delivery system and increase funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers.
4. Expand VA Dental Eligibility to include high-cost, high-risk veterans with chronic diseases, saving taxpayer dollars.

Following the hearing, Senator Bernie Sanders (I.-Vt) introduced the Comprehensive Dental Care Reform Act of 2024.

According to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), the proposed legislation, introduced by Chairman Sanders, would make sweeping changes to expand dental coverage for seniors, veterans, and low-income populations. This includes increasing the number of dental professionals in rural and underserved areas; making dental services more accessible in community health centers, schools, nursing homes, and mobile units; making dental care an essential benefit under the Affordable Care Act; and increasing reimbursement rates for dental procedures under Medicaid.

AIDPH strongly supports the Comprehensive Dental Care Reform Act of 2024 and thanks Sen. Sanders for his continued oral health advocacy.

Full AIDPH Testimony

Legislation Summary

About AIDPH

AIDPH is a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to transforming dental public health through collaboration, connection, and community. Serving as a catalyst for change, AIDPH advocates for a justice-oriented oral health system that prioritizes equity and inclusion in our core focus areas: veterans, LGBTQIA, rural, and disability communities. AIDPH empowers communities to advance oral health through research, education, and advocacy. To learn more, visit aidph.org and follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Contact Information

Grace Linn
Communications Lead
communication@aidph.org
720-933-6373

SOURCE: The American Institute of Dental Public Health

View the original press release on newswire.com.