Virginia legislators are considering placing an annual spending limit on Medicaid dental services, Cardinal News reported March 12.
Five notes:
1. Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin introduced a budget proposal last December that includes a $2,000 cap on dental services for adult Medicaid recipients.
2. Del. Rodney Willett proposed an amendment to remove the cap but said it is unlikely to move forward because the state has to address several other healthcare-related priorities.
3. Mr. Willett said the state budget is “hundreds of billions of dollars” in shortfall due to other healthcare initiatives that did not receive funding as part of the budget proposal, along with the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump in July.
4. Removing the cap is estimated to cost the state about $9.9 million in 2027 and $13.7 million in 2028.
5. Mr. Willett said he will revisit the issue in 2027 if his amendment does not pass during this year’s legislative session.
