ADA Issues Statement on Senate Finance Committee’s Action on SCHIP

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2007—Although the American Dental Association is disappointed that the Senate Finance Committee, at a mark-up today, did not include a dental benefit guarantee in its version of legislation reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), the association is pleased that the committee accepted language to provide $200 million in grants to the states to address problems in children’s access to dental care.

“This provision is a good step in the right direction,” said ADA President Kathleen Roth, D.D.S., “but obviously, more needs to be done.”

Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) will offer their amending language establishing a dental benefit guarantee in SCHIP when the full Senate takes up the legislation in the coming days. Their amendment would also guarantee a dental “wrap-around” benefit for children. The “wrap-around” corrects a flaw in current law that prevents otherwise eligible children from getting dental care under SCHIP due to the fact that they are covered by private medical insurance.

“Based solely on the positive discussion about the dental access amendment during the mark-up, we know that many senators, including Finance Committee Chairman Baucus and other committee members, are aware of the problem and understand that a dental benefit guarantee in SCHIP is important,” Dr. Roth said.

About the American Dental Association

Celebrating its 150th anniversary, the not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 157,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at www.ada.org

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