ALSOBROOKS, BARRAGAN INTRODUCE THREE BILLS TO CLOSE GAPS IN DENTAL COVERAGE

The following information was released by Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks:

Today, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.)and CongresswomanNanette Barragan (D-Calif.-44)introducedthree bills that will close historical gaps in dental coverage across the Children's Health Insurance Program(CHIP),Medicaid,and Medicare.These bills will ensure that children,low-incomeadults,and seniors canaccessnecessary dentalcarewithout facing the barriers of caps and optional benefits.

The Ensuring Kids HaveAccessto Medically Necessary DentalCareAct strengthens CHIP by banning annual and lifetime dollar limits in children's dental benefits and requiringwraparound coverage where it is currently optional.

The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2026makes adult dentalcarea mandatory Medicaid benefit rather than a state-by-state option with full federal funding for the first three years.

The Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026 would add routine, basic, major, and emergency dental coverage to Medicare Part B, reducing the disparities that leave half of all Medicare beneficiaries without dental coverage today.

18 years ago, a young Marylander named Deamonte Driver died of complications from a tooth infection because his family was kickedoffMedicaid and could not afford the care they needed. He was only12 years old. Senator Cardin worked tirelessly throughout his career toensure that no child should ever suffer Deamonte'sfate,and Senator Alsobrooks is continuing to carry on that legacy.

"No one. No child, adult,or senior should have to choose betweenaffording groceriesorbeing able to haveaccesstodental treatment. I amso proud to be introducing three billsto address this issue andtofinallyensure quality, affordableaccessto dentalcarefor Marylanders and all Americans. In Maryland, we know all too well thataccessto dentalcareisliterally amatter of life and death. In 2007, we lost12-year-old Deamonte Driver because of a toothache. That should have never happened. And while Republicans seem hellbent on kicking as many people off their health insurance as possible, we will fight to expand coverage and to ensure that every American, everychild in particular, hasaccessto thecarethey need,"said Senator Alsobrooks.

"Dental health is an often-overlooked part of your overall health, particularly for those from underserved and vulnerable communities who lack comprehensive health insurance coverage and cannot afford to pay for these routine services out-of-pocket. That is why Senator Alsobrooks and I are reintroducing my bills to strengthen dental benefits so we can make dentalcaremore affordable and prevent health conditions before they become more expensive and deadly,"said Congresswoman Barragan.

"Dentalcareand coverageiskey to overall health, employment, and economic stability. There is widespread concern about rising healthcarecosts, including for oralcareaccessand affordability and especially amonglow-income families and seniors on fixed incomes. The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act and MedicareDental Benefit Act would close the oral health gap for those on key public programs: guaranteeing comprehensive dental coverage for adults on Medicaid, and adding dentalcareto MedicarePart B. We applaud Representative Barragan and Senator Alsobrooks for their leadership in reimagining what affordable,accessible oral healthcarecan look like for all,"saidAnthony Wright, Executive Director of Families USA

"Everyone deservesaccessto comprehensive dentalcare,"said Melissa Burroughs, Senior Director of Public Policy atCareQuestInstitute for Oral Health."We'reproud to support this legislation that addresses existing gaps in oral health coverage for seniors, children,low-income families, and people with disabilities. Oral health is essential to overall health, and ensuring people haveaccessto this critical form ofcarewill support healthier communities, reduce healthcarecosts, and advance health equity across the country."

"Oral health is healthcare, yet far too many people still struggle to get the dentalcarethey need because of gaps in coverage and affordability. Community Catalyst is proud to stand with partners supporting legislation that strengthens and expands oral health coverage in Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These bills would help ensure adults canaccesscomprehensive dental services, bring needed dental coverage to Medicarebeneficiaries, and strengthen protections so children can receive thecarethey need without unnecessary coverage limits.Together, these proposalsrepresentan important steptoward treating oral health as an essential part of healthcare,"saidShaina Goodman, Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs, Community Catalyst

The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act has been endorsedby:American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Academy of Periodontology, American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American Dental Education Association, American Student Dental Association, National Network for Oral HealthAccess, Society of American Indian Dentists, ASTDD Foundation, Inc., American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and National Dental Association.

TheMedicare Dental Benefit Acthas been endorsed by:Community Catalyst, Families USA,CareQuestInstitute for Oral Health, Center for Medicare Advocacy, and Justice in Aging.

TheEnsuring Kids HaveAccessto Medically Necessary DentalCareActhas been endorsed by:American Dental Association,Academy of General Dentistry,American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology,American Academy of Orofacial Pain,American Academy of Periodontology,American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research,American Association of Endodontists,American Association of Public Health Dentistry,American Dental Education Association,American Student Dental Association,National Network for Oral HealthAccess,Society of American Indian Dentists,ASTDD Foundation, Inc.,American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry,National Dental Association,andAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.