As we move into 2012, it's important to note the successes the oral health community has achieved together over the past year. Despite the consistently tense political and budgetary climate, oral health has remained a priority as Congress attempted to address the nation's budget deficit. Though no small task, our work together has defended oral health coverage in programs like Medicaid and CHIP from proposed cuts, saved essential maternal and child health programs from significant cuts, and maintained critical oral health prevention, research, and state oral health infrastructure funding.

 

In addition to weathering the budget battles, the Children's Dental Health Project, along with our partners spent much of 2011 in the federal regulatory arena, working to ensure families will have equitable access to affordable dental coverage under the Affordable Care Act's (ACA). Those activities included building consensus to advance cost-effective children's dental coverage that addresses the individual needs of a child that prevents and manages the disease that causes tooth decay.

 

Neither of these efforts will come to a close as 2011 ends; the federal budget deficit is not disappearing and, like this year, much of the work to be done on the implementation of the ACA will continue to occur on the regulatory side both at the federal and state levels. We look forward to continued collaboration as we address these issues in 2012. 

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) issued a Bulletin providing preliminary guidance related to the implementation of the Essential Health Benefits (EHB) in ACA. The Bulletin reflects HHS' intent to balance the comprehensiveness of the benefits with affordability and State flexibility in final regulations and proposed to define the EHB through benchmark insurance plans selected by each state. CDHP is, however, concerned that the proposal may fall short in providing states with adequate guidance to ensure that the promise of the ACA is realized. Many concerns remain unaddressed with regard to the design and delivery of the pediatric oral health benefit as well as equity for families purchasing dental coverage through a stand-alone dental plan in the Exchanges. CDHP has developed a memo to state advocates to assist with background information on the benefit and talking points in response to the guidance. The memo and accompanying materials are available on the CDHP website.

As we work to ensure that families have affordable comprehensive dental coverage with adequate consumer protections and affordability standards, the voices of state advocates will be critical to the effort.  

   

CDHP is grateful for the amazing dedication of our partners and we wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!

• Essential health benefits memo to state advocates
• Letters from the House and Senate regarding consumer protections for dental coverage in the Exchanges
• CDHP comments on the Establishment of Exchanges and Qualified Health Plans
• Consensus letter to Secretary Sebelius on the design of the pediatric dental benefit
• "Roadmap for Implementation" white papers and summary document
•  Other ACA regulatory comments and advocate resources 

Founded in 1997, the Children's Dental Health Project is a national non-profit organization with the vision of achieving oral health for all children to ensure that they reach their full potential. 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.