Connert Media urges Congress to Pass this Bill
It is the sense of Congress that—
- the Department of Veterans Affairs has pioneered a whole health approach to health care, which brought mental health and suicide prevention under the umbrella of primary care and integrated health, provides access to alternative medicines, delivers a holistic approach to health and well-being, and repeatedly demonstrates better health outcomes than the private sector at a low cost to taxpayers in the United States;
- the effects of poor dental care are seen in patients who are at risk of or diagnosed with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary conditions, kidney impairment, and even dementia;
- the Department spends countless dollars on prescription drugs, community care, urgent care, and emergency room visits on preventable ailments that would be reduced or eliminated through preventative dental care; and
- in order to best achieve a whole health model for the provision of health care to veterans and reduce long-term costs, the Department must furnish veterans with preventative and comprehensive dental care.
“Just 15% of the more than 9 million veterans enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs health care are eligible for dental benefits. However, the number of veterans actually receiving VA dental care is much lower—about 463,000—according to senators supporting legislation that would significantly increase access. The Veterans Dental Care Eligibility Expansion and Enhancement Act of 2021 (S. 3017) would remove the current barriers to VA dental care by broadening eligibility for all veterans enrolled in VA health care. The bill also seeks to address the shortage of dentists by providing incentives to dental school students and mandates the expansion of VA dental clinics in all 50 states.” 1
- The Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Matt Saintsing, July 12, 2022 – Expanding VA dental care
