Massachusetts legislators have sent Gov. Maura Healey a new budget that includes a higher cap on Medicaid dental services than previously proposed, WBUR reported July 1.
Five notes:
1. Earlier this year, Gov. Healey proposed implementing a $1,000 annual cap on Medicaid dental coverage as part of the state’s budget for fiscal year 2027. The proposal aimed to rein in healthcare spending after the state spent about $270 million on adult dental services in 2025.
2. Massachusetts dentists and other leaders opposed the proposal, warning that such measures could lead to reduced access to care and dentist participation within the Medicaid program, practice closures and increased emergency department visits.
3. The most recently introduced $63.4 billion budget includes a $1,750 annual cap on adult Medicaid dental services.
4. The latest budget was unveiled after about a month of negotiations between legislators in the state House and Senate.
5. Gov. Healey has until July 11 to sign, veto or return sections of the budget with amendments.
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