State Talking Points on Ensuring Consumer Protections and Affordability

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in March 2010 mandated oral health care as part of the pediatric coverage in the essential benefits package. This provision, often referred to as the pediatric dental benefit, has been celebrated by advocates in the child health community. In the final weeks of the law’s debate in Congress, Senator Stabenow offered a conceptual amendment which resulted in detailed language that allowed for limited-scope dental plans (aka stand-alone dental plans) to provide coverage in the Exchanges. The specifics of that language have created unintended consequences that could place consumer protections, affordability, and access to dental care in significant jeopardy.

This document provides state advocates with basic information and simple talking points on this issue for use with policymakers and those responsible for developing state insurance Exchanges.