Budget Resolution Includes Expanding Medicare to Include Dental Benefits
Democratic members of the Senate Budget Committee released the text, section-by-section summary, and one-page summary of a $3.5 trillion Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 on August 9. The $3.5 trillion framework has the support of Senate Democratic leadership and the President.
While the Budget Resolution sets the top-line numbers for spending on the various proposals that will be included in the forthcoming Budget Reconciliation package, each House and Senate committee of jurisdiction will write a portion of the actual legislative language for the package. Of note, in the detailed summary memo of the recommended reconciliation instructions, “Expanding Medicare to include dental, vision, hearing benefits and lowering the eligibility age” is an investment instruction provided to the Senate Finance Committee.
In a corresponding “Dear Colleague” letter from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), he informs the Senate that they will begin work to advance the budget resolution immediately following the passage of the pending “physical infrastructure” package. The letter also notes that the Budget Resolution requires House and Senate committees to submit implementable legislative language to the Budget Committee by September 15.
The Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee have not released draft legislative language on Medicare dental benefits expansion yet. However, several different legislative proposals (H.R.4311, H.R.4650, S.97/H.R.502) on the subject have been introduced in the House and Senate, which may serve as a model for the language included in the Budget Reconciliation package. All these bills would expand Medicare Part B coverage to include comprehensive dental and oral health services.
The Budget Reconciliation process allows the Senate to pass certain bills with a simple majority (51 votes), meaning they would not need any Republican support. However, there is still uncertainty whether all 50 Senate Democrats will support the passage of the Reconciliation package this fall.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD is working with allies in organized dentistry and the broader oral health industry to address the pending Medicare dental expansion issue. AGD has also directly engaged with the Senate Finance Committee to communicate opposition to Medicare’s expansion to include dental benefits. AGD supports enhanced benefits and reimbursement in private sector initiatives for dental benefits, and AGD believes that the Medicare program cannot sustain the inclusion of dental benefits.
While the Budget Resolution sets the top-line numbers for spending on the various proposals that will be included in the forthcoming Budget Reconciliation package, each House and Senate committee of jurisdiction will write a portion of the actual legislative language for the package. Of note, in the detailed summary memo of the recommended reconciliation instructions, “Expanding Medicare to include dental, vision, hearing benefits and lowering the eligibility age” is an investment instruction provided to the Senate Finance Committee.
In a corresponding “Dear Colleague” letter from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), he informs the Senate that they will begin work to advance the budget resolution immediately following the passage of the pending “physical infrastructure” package. The letter also notes that the Budget Resolution requires House and Senate committees to submit implementable legislative language to the Budget Committee by September 15.
The Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee have not released draft legislative language on Medicare dental benefits expansion yet. However, several different legislative proposals (H.R.4311, H.R.4650, S.97/H.R.502) on the subject have been introduced in the House and Senate, which may serve as a model for the language included in the Budget Reconciliation package. All these bills would expand Medicare Part B coverage to include comprehensive dental and oral health services.
The Budget Reconciliation process allows the Senate to pass certain bills with a simple majority (51 votes), meaning they would not need any Republican support. However, there is still uncertainty whether all 50 Senate Democrats will support the passage of the Reconciliation package this fall.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD is working with allies in organized dentistry and the broader oral health industry to address the pending Medicare dental expansion issue. AGD has also directly engaged with the Senate Finance Committee to communicate opposition to Medicare’s expansion to include dental benefits. AGD supports enhanced benefits and reimbursement in private sector initiatives for dental benefits, and AGD believes that the Medicare program cannot sustain the inclusion of dental benefits.