FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) recently introduced a package of three bills to increase access to oral health care under Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Current gaps in health insurance coverage, as well as historic Medicaid cuts by Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration, make it hard for Americans to access necessary dental care, such as routine check-ups and cleanings. These bills aim to close dental gaps for children, people with disabilities, and seniors.
- The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act makes adult dental care a mandatory Medicaid benefit rather than a state-by-state option.
- The Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act bans annual and lifetime dollar limits in children’s dental benefits and requires wrapround coverage where it is currently optional.
- The Medicare Dental Benefit Act adds routine, basic, major and emergency dental coverage to Medicare, lowering the disparities that leave half of all Medicare beneficiaries without dental coverage today.
“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 dental care more affordable and prevent health conditions before they become more expensive and deadly,” said Congresswoman Barragán.
“No one. No child, adult, or senior should have to choose between affording groceries or being able to have access to dental treatment. I am so proud to be introducing three bills to address this issue and to finally ensure quality, affordable access to dental care for Marylanders – and all Americans. In Maryland, we know all too well that access to dental care is literally a matter of life and death. In 2007, we lost 12-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, every child in particular, has access to the care they need,” said Senator Alsobrooks.
“Dental care and coverage is key to overall health, employment, and economic stability. There is widespread concern about rising health care costs, including for oral care access and affordability — and especially among low-income families and seniors on fixed incomes,” said Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Families USA. “The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act and Medicare Dental Benefit Act would close the oral health gap for those on key public programs: guaranteeing comprehensive dental coverage for adults on Medicaid, and adding dental care to Medicare Part B. We applaud Representative Barragán and Senator Alsobrooks for their leadership in reimagining what affordable, accessible oral health care can look like for all.”
“Oral health is health care, yet far too many people still struggle to get the dental care they need because of gaps in coverage and affordability,” said Shaina Goodman, Vice President for Policy & Government Affairs, Community Catalyst. “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 can access comprehensive dental services, bring needed dental coverage to Medicare beneficiaries, and strengthen protections so children can receive the care they need without unnecessary coverage limits. Together, these proposals represent an important step toward treating oral health as an essential part of health care.”
“Everyone deserves access to comprehensive dental care,” said Melissa Burroughs, Senior Director of Public Policy at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. “We’re proud 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 have access to this critical form of care will support healthier communities, reduce health care costs, and advance health equity across the country.”
The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act is cosponsored by Reps. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Emily Randall (WA-06), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
The text of the bill can be found HERE. Full list of endorsements can be found HERE.
The Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act is cosponsored by Reps. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Emily Randall (WA-06), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24)
The text of the bill can be found HERE. Full list of endorsements can be found HERE.
The Medicare Dental Benefit Act is co-led by Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and cosponsored by Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Chuy Garcia (IL-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Emily Randall (WA-06), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
The text of the bill can be found HERE. Full list of endorsements can be found HERE.
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