Alaska Medicaid providers are preparing for increased demand for dental care after the federal budget passage earlier this year, Alaska’s News Source reported Aug. 19.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law July 4, is expected to lead to a decrease in Medicaid spending by nearly $1 trillion. The legislation has been criticized by many healthcare organizations, with many leaders denouncing the bill’s cuts to healthcare. Dental organizations have criticized the budget for its potential impact on Medicaid, with the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health calling the bill’s passage a “dangerous setback” for dentistry.
Melinda Freemon, the executive director of Anchorage Project Access, said the nonprofit is seeing the highest demand for services in its history.
The nonprofit currently works with 825 providers throughout the state, but it is hoping more practices will become partners to help meet the demand for care.
