Oregon legislature considering bill to expand dental care for low-income veterans

A bill introduced to an Oregon House committee would expand Medicaid dental coverage for low-income veterans, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported Feb. 9.

House Bill 4095 would provide dental care to low-income veterans who make too much to qualify for free coverage under Medicaid. Those eligible for coverage include veterans who earn between 138 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. 

Rep. Cedric Hayden, DDS, who is also a dentist, introduced the bill to the state House Health Care Committee. He estimates that only about 15 percent of veterans statewide have dental care.

Daniel Herrigstad, chief of public and congressional affairs for the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, told the news organization that only about 3 percent of veterans who received healthcare under VA Portland in 2021 received dental care.

Supporters of the bill include veterans, healthcare advocacy groups and medical organizations such as the Oregon Dental Association and the Oregon Primary Care Association. 

The bill is expected to pass the committee and will then be considered by the House's Joint Ways and Means Committee.

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