Medicare Oral Health Coalition Letter of Support: Medicare Dental Act of 2021

This letter expresses the support of the Medicare Oral Health Coalition– which includes leading organizations representing oral health, health care consumers, older adults, people with disabilities, patients, providers, industry, social service, and others– for the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2021 (S.97/H.R. 502). Extending Medicare to include oral health coverage is critical to an effective pandemic response, economic recovery, and health equity. We are grateful to Sen. Cardin and Rep. Barragan for championing this issue early in the new Congress. In particular, we appreciate that this bill:

• Adds oral health coverage to Medicare Part B directly.
• Offers sufficiently comprehensive oral health coverage.
• Supports access to care for low-income Medicare enrollees.