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ACA Implementation Update: Exchange and Expansion
Exchange: Oral Health Resources Available for Assisters
Open enrollment in the Virginia's Health Insurance Marketplace or Exchange begins Tuesday, October 1 (tomorrow!). As discussed in the Coalition's August newsletter, the Exchange is an online marketplace where individuals can purchase health and dental insurance, with subsidies available for qualified individuals and families.
Many individuals may be unaware of the critical link between oral health and overall health. This, coupled with the myriad of dental insurance options within the Exchange, may raise questions for individuals about the importance and affordability of dental coverage. In response, the Coalition has partnered with the Children's Dental Health Project to create a fact sheet for assisters and navigators (those assisting with Exchange enrollment), consumers and other community outreach providers to help them sift through options for dental coverage. The Coalition is also creating other oral health-related resources that will be available online.
Download this dental coverage fact sheet for exchange enrollment
Medicaid Expansion: Comments Requested from MIRC
Because Medicaid expansion is no longer required under the ACA, Governor McDonnell has tasked the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission (MIRC) with determining whether or not Virginia has met the reforms necessary to expand Medicaid coverage to approximately 400,000 individuals. The expansion will cover emergency dental extractions for eligible Virginians, which can directly improve their health and prevent costly emergency department visits.
MIRC is now accepting public comments on Medicaid expansion through Wednesday, October 16 at 5:00 p.m. There are two ways to submit a comment:
Virginia Consumer Voices for Healthcare has offered a list of sample comments here. If you're interested in seeing where Virginia's gubernatorial candidates stand on this issue, click here.
For additional information and inquires about ACA implementation in Virginia, contact Coalition executive director, Sarah Bedard Holland, at 804.269.8721 or sholland@vaoralhealth.org.
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Of Interest
Oral Health and Overall Health
 Oral health and overall health are fundamentally intertwined. The following links present current information on how oral health is connected to overall health and well-being.
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Analysis: Cost Benefits of Early Dental Visits
 A new analysis of a prior study of early dental care shows that preventive pediatric dental visits do lead to better oral health outcomes, even though overall care costs are not reduced.
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Survey Shows Virginia Voters Over 50 Support Medicaid Expansion
A recent survey from AARP Virginia shows that just over half of the state's registered voters over age 50 support Medicaid expansion.
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Online Calculator Estimates Marketplace Costs and Subsidies  The Kaiser Family Foundation has created an online subsidy calculator that Americans can use to view ZIP code-specific estimates of the insurance premiums and tax subsides available in the new state health insurance marketplaces in 2014.
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