ADA issues statement regarding children's health insurance

July 20, 2007
Association is pleased that Senate committee accepts language to provide $200 million in grants to states to address problems in children's access to dental care.

WASHINGTON--Although the American Dental Association is disappointed that the Senate Finance Committee, at a recent mark-up, did not include a dental benefit guarantee in its version of legislation reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program, the association is pleased that the committee accepted language to provide $200 million in grants to the states to address problems in children's access to dental care.

"This provision is a good step in the right direction," said ADA President Kathleen Roth, DDS, "but obviously, more needs to be done."

Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) will offer their amending language establishing a dental benefit guarantee in SCHIP when the full Senate takes up the legislation in the coming days. Their amendment would also guarantee a dental "wrap-around" benefit for children.

The "wrap-around" corrects a flaw in current law that prevents otherwise eligible children from getting dental care under SCHIP due to the fact that they are covered by private medical insurance.

"Based solely on the positive discussion about the dental access amendment during the mark-up, we know that many senators, including Finance Committee Chairman Baucus and other committee members, are aware of the problem and understand that a dental benefit guarantee in SCHIP is important," Dr. Roth said.

For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at American Dental Association.