CDHP Dental Policy Check-up
The Latest Updates on Oral Health from Capitol Hill
 June 19, 2009
Welcome to CDHP's Health Reform Dental Check-up!  We are excited to provide a regular update on what is happening on Capitol Hill related to oral health within the health reform debate.  We look forward to providing you with the information we hear and to hearing from you. 
 
About CDHP
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Founded in 1997, the Children's Dental Health Project is a national non-profit organization with the vision of achieving equity in children's oral health.  Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP) designs and advances research-driven policies and innovative solutions by engaging a broad base of partners committed to children and oral health, including professionals, communities, policymakers and parents.  We work to eliminate barriers to preventing tooth decay to ensure that all children reach their full potential.
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In This Issue
Senate HELP Committee Enters Mark-up on Health Care Reform Bill
What's Next?
For Additional Information
Senate HELP Committee Enters Mark-up on Health Care Reform Bill
 
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee is moving forward this week to mark-up their health reform bill.  Over 380 amendments were filed for consideration by the HELP Committee with nine of the amendments directly related to oral health provisions.  Numerous amendments are attempts to remove and/or weaken the oral health provisions currently in the bill.  For example, an amendment by Senator Enzi (R-WY) would remove demonstration grants for research-based dental caries disease management.  It is critical that Members of Congress understand the importance of oral health and the ability to prevent dental disease across the lifespan.  The HELP Committee will be marking up their bill for the remainder of the week and into next week.
What's Next?
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to release their health reform very soon with indications that the Committee may push their mark-up until after the 4th of July break.  It will be essential that Finance understand the importance of oral health coverage - especially assuring that existing dental programs in Medicaid and CHIP remain strong. 
 
The House of Representatives three Committees (Committees on Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, and Education & Labor) that hold jurisdiction over health reform plan to release draft legislative language today (Friday) and proceed with individual Committee hearings next week.  All three Committees intend to move to mark-up after the 4th of July break. 
For Additional Information
Children's Dental Health Project continues to work with all our partners and respond to Hill requests for more information to assure health reform includes dental coverage, a strong dental public health infrastructure, incentives for focusing on prevention and management of dental caries, and an adequate workforce to serve the underserved.  For more information contact Meg Booth, Deputy Executive Director at mbooth@cdhp.org.