Support for oral health programs at the federal level remains mixed following the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approval of a fiscal year 2012 funding bill for Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Related Agencies, according to a bulletin from the (CDHP).
"While the political climate and renewed focus on responsible spending prevent Congress from moving forward on supporting many of the yet unfunded oral health programs authorized in the Affordable Care Act, the Senate bill clearly protects oral health as a priority," the CDHP stated.
For example, the Senate bill reflects the critical role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in combating tooth decay and addressing the disease early in childhood, according to the CDHP. The committee report protects the line item for oral health in the CDC budget and also encourages CDC to continue at current levels the work to improve state oral health infrastructure, increase collaboration with other HHS agencies to address early childhood caries, and improve oral health research and surveillance efforts.
"While it remains a concern that funds are no longer set aside for oral health programs in the budget for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), it is encouraging that the Senate bill includes specific language to ensure that oral health remain a priority across HHS agencies, including HRSA," the bulletin stated.
In addition, the committee urged both HRSA and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to work to improve access to oral healthcare, facilitate dental workforce expansion, and improve how Medicaid interfaces with dental practice, the CDHP noted.
