Cummings Introduces Dental Care Bill
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders says America is experiencing a crisis in dental care, and has introduced legislation to address the issue.
Sanders and Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings on Thursday introduced Senate and House bills that would expand dental coverage to millions of Americans through Medicare, Medicaid and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The measures would authorize funding to increase access to dental services at community health centers and boost support for mobile clinics and dental clinics in schools.
They also call for increased federal assistance for those training to be dentists.
Sanders says 130 million Americans lack dental insurance, and a quarter of those over 65 have lost all their teeth.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
