Legislators in Tennessee, Michigan, Oregon, Florida and Maryland are considering proposals that would change how Medicaid dental coverage is administered.
Five notes:
1. Tennessee legislators are reviewing a proposal that would expand the state's Medicaid dental coverage to all adult enrollees. The state would also pay dentists more to see Medicaid patients and invest in dental education to alleviate workforce shortages.
2. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed an additional $243 million for the annual state budget to expand dental coverage to adult Medicaid recipients. The proposal would include increased reimbursements for dentists.
3. Rep. Cedric Hayden, DDS, introduced a bill to the Oregon House Health Care Committee to expand Medicaid dental coverage for low-income veterans.
4. Florida legislators are considering a bill to roll the state's dental services into the rest of its managed care programs. Some have spoken out against the bill, including Joe Ann Hart, chief legislative officer for the Florida Dental Association, who said the bill would create administrative barriers for dentists.
5. The Maryland Legislature is considering a bill that would add comprehensive adult dental coverage under Medicaid to assist low-income adults.