03-11-2022, 08:53 PM
Chairwoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health on 8 FEB
introduced H.R. 914, the Dental Care for Veterans Act, legislation that would phase in eligibility for all
veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care to receive dental care as a part
of its medical benefits package. This bill would require the VA Secretary to furnish dental care in the same
manner as any other medical service, and defines a four-year implementation plan beginning with veterans
in priority groups one and two—for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 30% or more—in
year one. The bill currently has only 28 cosponsors.
Dental care has been proven to be an important part of overall health care. Many private employers and
state Medicaid programs provide it as part of a comprehensive health care package. Most clinicians agree
there are strong associations between significant dental issues and other adverse systemic health outcomes.
Unfortunately gaps in dental coverage often affect people with lower incomes and complex health needs
the most. DAV Resolution No. 185 calls for the VA to comprehensive dental care services to all service-connected
disabled veterans enrolled for care. Therefore, DAV strongly supports this legislation. Readers
are encouraged to go to https://dav.quorum.us/campaign/31754 and send DAV’s prepared editable message
to their legislators to aid in support of this bill. [Source: https://dav.quorum.us | DAV Take Action | March
13, 2021 ++]
introduced H.R. 914, the Dental Care for Veterans Act, legislation that would phase in eligibility for all
veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care to receive dental care as a part
of its medical benefits package. This bill would require the VA Secretary to furnish dental care in the same
manner as any other medical service, and defines a four-year implementation plan beginning with veterans
in priority groups one and two—for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 30% or more—in
year one. The bill currently has only 28 cosponsors.
Dental care has been proven to be an important part of overall health care. Many private employers and
state Medicaid programs provide it as part of a comprehensive health care package. Most clinicians agree
there are strong associations between significant dental issues and other adverse systemic health outcomes.
Unfortunately gaps in dental coverage often affect people with lower incomes and complex health needs
the most. DAV Resolution No. 185 calls for the VA to comprehensive dental care services to all service-connected
disabled veterans enrolled for care. Therefore, DAV strongly supports this legislation. Readers
are encouraged to go to https://dav.quorum.us/campaign/31754 and send DAV’s prepared editable message
to their legislators to aid in support of this bill. [Source: https://dav.quorum.us | DAV Take Action | March
13, 2021 ++]