Updates

July 20, 2009 Action Needed: Letter to Congress 
At the last OHAC Policy Committee meeting members decided to focus on advocating for oral health in health reform. To that effect The Dental Health Foundation has been working closely with the American Dental Education Association, Oral Health America, and the National Consumer League to advocate for a sensible approach and treatment of dental disease and oral health within our health care system. We need OHAC members to support our efforts by agreeing to lend your organization’s support to the attached letter. If your organization would like to be included on the letter, please complete and return this PDF Form. 
Please return the form by August 15 to:
Melissa Hoebbel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PDF Letter to Advocates
 

July 17, 2009 Much Work Yet To Be Done as House  Continues Health Reform Debate
As expected, this week has been filled with health reform activity.  As we have noted in past updates there are currently three bills that define the health care reform debate. <more> 

July 15, 2009 House Tri-Committee Health Care Reform Proposal 
Under growing pressure from President Obama to pass health reform legislation before the August recess, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the chairmen of the three House committees involved with jurisdiction over health reform unveiled a draft bill on July 14, 2009. <more>

June 23, 2009: Children's Dental Health Project  (CHDP) In The News
Four articles ran in today's Washington Post as part of a package on oral health. <more>

June 9, 2009: Senate HELP Committee: Health Care Reform Proposal 
On June 9, 2009 the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee (HELP) released its legislative proposal for health reform. The 615 page bill details programs that go beyond coverage for the uninsured to include public health, workforce, and systems reform. The HELP Committee is expected to begin consideration of its legislation June 18th. The HELP proposal contains numerous provisions that collectively could dramatically improve the oral health of Americans, particularly those who are underserved or disproportionately impacted by oral diseases. <more>

Read DHF Report
This policy brief focuses on the importance of including oral health in health care reform efforts. This includes, the extent of current dental coverage, barriers to utilization, and policy considerations for improving the oral health of all Californians.
View Report