CDHP Dental Policy Check-up
The Latest Updates on Oral Health from Capitol Hill
 July 10, 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.  
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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
Proposed Version of Senate and House Bills Include Key Oral Health Provisions
Health Reform Stalled in Congress
Proposed Version of Senate and House Bills  Include Key Oral Health Provisions

Welcome back after the long 4th of July weekend!

Congress was out of session last week, giving staff time to keep working on the very challenging financing issues and allowing us all a moment to catch our breath and reflect on progress so far. Most important to the oral health community is that both the Senate's HELP bill and the House's proposed version of health reform include key oral health provisions on coverage, accountability, prevention, safety net, workforce, and public health infrastructure (see first item under "What's New" on CDHP's new website).
Health Reform Stalled in Congress

Still unfinished are the House's bill and the Senate Finance Committee's bill. Both have run into trouble over how to pay for reform forcing their planned release for this week to be postponed.  The House bill is being finalized by three committees (Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means). It's proposed tax provisions and mandates on employers are objected to by a key group of 51 Blue Dog Democrats (moderates and conservatives). The Senate Finance Bill is delayed over these same issues and additional controversy over whether to limit the tax deductibility of employer-paid premiums. Both committees are also looking for additional cost savings in order to limit the need to raise revenues.

CDHP will keep you posted. We expect that there will be plenty of opportunities for you to show your support for oral health through letters of support for proposals and amendments, calls to your members of Congress, and generally keeping the message that oral health is critical to overall HEALTH and cannot be left out of any health reform!
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