The latest version of healthcare reform legislation to come out of the U.S. Congress includes dental coverage for all children, according to the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP).
A "framework" for healthcare reform written by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, outlines provisions the senator sees as a workable compromise between Democrats and Republicans.
Sen. Baucus' proposal is not an actual bill, so it's unclear whether it would also include other provisions affecting oral health. The senator is continuing to negotiate with Republicans in hopes of introducing a bill with bipartisan support.
His proposal sets minimum standards that health insurers would have to meet, including dental care for children, according to a draft of the framework released by CDHP.
That provision is already included in a bill that passed the Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions and a bill that passed three committees in the House of Representatives.
"While we are still taking time to review Senator Baucus' framework and awaiting more detailed information, we are very pleased with this early recognition in all three bills that oral health is a critical part of children's overall health," said Burton Edelstein, D.D.S., M.P.H., founding chair of the CDHP, in a news release. "We are very heartened by the significant progress but recognize that many challenges still remain, including the need to ensure that all adults also have access to dental coverage."
Copyright © 2009 DrBicuspid.com
