Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), the Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement after the House passed his resolution, House Joint Resolution 80, to approve a request from the Department of Veterans Affairs to pursue a pilot program to increase veteran access to dental care:
"I am pleased to see that the House unanimously passed this important measure today. In addition to increasing veterans’ access to care, the MISSION ACT also created a Center for Innovation for Care and Payment to give VA an avenue to test new payment and service delivery models that have the potential to better serve veterans and taxpayers. This resolution would approve the Center’s first waiver request – to allow VA to coordinate free or reduced cost dental care in the community for veterans who are ineligible for dental care through VA. This would greatly enhance not only the dental care provided to those who have served but also their overall health and well-being.”
To learn more about H.J. Resolution 80, click here.
To watch Ranking Member Roe’s full remarks on the House floor, click here.
Background:
On December 6, 2019, VA submitted a request to Congress asking to pursue a pilot program through the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment, which was created by the MISSION Act, to increase access to dental care for veterans by entering into arrangements with dental providers in the community who agree to provide free or discounted dental services to veterans who are enrolled in the VA healthcare system but are not eligible for VA-provided dental care. The request would allow administrative staff in VA medical facilities to educate these veterans about their options for dental care in the community and to coordinate such care for them, as needed. H.J. Res. 80 would provide Congressional approval for such request.
