ALSOBROOKS, BARRAGÁN INTRODUCE THREE BILLS TO CLOSE GAPS IN DENTAL COVERAGE

July 22, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44) introduced three bills that will close historical gaps in dental coverage across the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, and Medicare. These bills will ensure that children, low-income adults, and seniors can access necessary dental care without facing the barriers of caps and optional benefits.

The Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act strengthens CHIP by banning annual and lifetime dollar limits in children's dental benefits and requiring wraparound coverage where it is currently optional.

The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2026 makes adult dental care a mandatory Medicaid benefit rather than a state-by-state option with full federal funding for the first three years.

The Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026 would add routine, basic, major, and emergency dental coverage to Medicare Part B, reducing the disparities that leave half of all Medicare beneficiaries without dental coverage today.

18 years ago, a young Marylander named Deamonte Driver died of complications from a tooth infection because his family was kicked off Medicaid and could not afford the care they needed. He was only 12 years old. Senator Cardin worked tirelessly throughout his career to ensure that no child should ever suffer Deamonte's fate, and Senator Alsobrooks is continuing to carry on that legacy.

"No one. No child, adult, or senior should have to choose between affording groceries or being able to have access to dental treatment. I am so proud to be introducing three bills to address this issue and to finally ensure quality, affordable access to dental care for Marylanders - and all Americans. In Maryland, we know all too well that access to dental care is literally a matter of life and death. In 2007, we lost 12-year-old Deamonte Driver because of a toothache. That should have never happened. And while Republicans seem hellbent on kicking as many people off their health insurance as possible, we will fight to expand coverage and to ensure that every American, every child in particular, has access to the care they need," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"Dental health is an often-overlooked part of your overall health, particularly for those from underserved and vulnerable communities who lack comprehensive health insurance coverage and cannot afford to pay for these routine services out-of-pocket. That is why Senator Alsobrooks and I are reintroducing my bills to strengthen dental benefits so we can make dental care more affordable and prevent health conditions before they become more expensive and deadly," said Congresswoman Barragán.

"Dental care and coverage is key to overall health, employment, and economic stability. There is widespread concern about rising health care costs, including for oral care access and affordability - and especially among low-income families and seniors on fixed incomes. The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act and Medicare Dental Benefit Act would close the oral health gap for those on key public programs: guaranteeing comprehensive dental coverage for adults on Medicaid, and adding dental care to Medicare Part B. We applaud Representative Barragán and Senator Alsobrooks for their leadership in reimagining what affordable, accessible oral health care can look like for all," said Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Families USA

"Everyone deserves access to comprehensive dental care," said Melissa Burroughs, Senior Director of Public Policy at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. "We're proud to support this legislation that addresses existing gaps in oral health coverage for seniors, children, low-income families, and people with disabilities. Oral health is essential to overall health, and ensuring people have access to this critical form of care will support healthier communities, reduce health care costs, and advance health equity across the country."

"Oral health is health care, yet far too many people still struggle to get the dental care they need because of gaps in coverage and affordability. Community Catalyst is proud to stand with partners supporting legislation that strengthens and expands oral health coverage in Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These bills would help ensure adults can access comprehensive dental services, bring needed dental coverage to Medicare beneficiaries, and strengthen protections so children can receive the care they need without unnecessary coverage limits. Together, these proposals represent an important step toward treating oral health as an essential part of health care," said Shaina Goodman, Vice President for Policy & Government Affairs, Community Catalyst

The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act has been endorsed by: American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Academy of Periodontology, American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American Dental Education Association, American Student Dental Association, National Network for Oral Health Access, Society of American Indian Dentists, ASTDD Foundation, Inc., American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and National Dental Association.

The Medicare Dental Benefit Act has been endorsed by: Community Catalyst, Families USA, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Center for Medicare Advocacy, and Justice in Aging.

The Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act has been endorsed by: American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Academy of Periodontology, American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, American Association of Endodontists, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, American Dental Education Association, American Student Dental Association, National Network for Oral Health Access, Society of American Indian Dentists, ASTDD Foundation, Inc., American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, National Dental Association, and American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Read full bill text for the Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act here.

Read full bill text for the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2026 here.

Read full bill text for the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026 here.

###