In Idaho, H 465 was approved by the House by a 36-32 vote and sent to the Senate on February 12, 2018. The bill seeks to restore non-emergency dental coverage for Idaho Medicaid recipients.

The Maryland General Assembly is also considering legislation seeking to restore adult dental benefits for Medicaid recipients. SB 284 was heard by the Senate Finance Committee February 7, 2018. A 2017 study carried out by the Maryland Dental Action Coalition found that emergency room treatments for dental conditions cost the state about $10 million dollars in the 2016 fiscal year.

In Florida, SB 764 369 was approved unanimously by the Subcommittee on Higher Education, and is now pending before the Appropriations Committee. The bill would create the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program, which would provide funds of up to $50,000 for up to five years for dentists practicing in underserved areas. The funds would be used to help pay off dental student loan debt.

In the latest version of the bill, a maximum of ten dentists would be eligible to receive the funds each fiscal year. Also, the program would be subject to appropriation.

If you would like more information on legislative matters in your state, or are interested in carrying out advocacy on AGD issues, please contact us at advocacy@agd.org or visit the AGD’s Advocacy webpage.