The ADA is supporting federal legislation that would strengthen dental coverage for children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP,  and led a coalition letter from dental organizations thanking the bill's sponsors for introducing the proposal. 

Nationwide, more than 7 million children participate in the CHIP program designed for working families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance.  

In a July 22 letter to Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., and Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-Calif., the ADA and other dental organizations thanked the lawmakers for introducing the Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act. The legislation would prohibit lifetime and annual dollar limits on CHIP dental benefits and require dental-only wraparound coverage for certain children. 

“We strongly support policies that ensure children can obtain medically necessary dental care when they need it, without arbitrary financial caps that may interrupt treatment, delay needed services, or shift costs to families,” reads the letter, which was signed by 15 other oral health groups. 

According to the letter, CHIP “plays a critical role in connecting children in working families to affordable health and dental coverage,” and the proposed legislation would help ensure dental benefits under the program “are meaningful, reliable, and sufficient to meet children's clinical needs.” 

The dental organizations said eliminating lifetime and annual dollar limits on dental coverage and requiring wraparound dental coverage where appropriate would reduce access gaps, promote continuity of care and help protect children from avoidable dental issues.  

The coalition concluded by commending the bill's sponsors and encouraging broader congressional support, saying it looks forward to working together to improve dental care for children across the nation.