On July 27, 2017, the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously voted to advance H.R. 2422, the Action for Dental Health Act of 2017. Introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), H.R. 2422 targets federal dollars to state and local dental organizations to provide proven oral health care services in a manner that effectively addresses the barriers to dental care many Americans face. Similar versions of this bill were introduced in 2014 and 2015. The American Dental Association was instrumental in working with Congresswoman Kelly to develop this bill.

The bill will now head to the full House of Representatives.

Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD fully supports the bill’s goal of expanding access to oral health care for the underserved and its efforts to increase oral health literacy and will continue to work with Reps. Kelly and Simpson to generate support for this important legislation.