Political Quotes

“I intend to offer a motion to commit the reconciliation bill to the Finance Committee with instructions to report the bill back to the Senate within 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that would strike any provision that would eliminate, limit access to, or reduce the affordability of pediatric dental services by repeal all or part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, ACA, or otherwise negatively impact children's access to coverage or such services. I am offering this motion because the Finance Committee should review the implications of depriving millions of children of access to dental care. An estimated one of five children aged 5 to 11 years and one of seven adolescents aged 12 to 19 years in the U.S. have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Consequently, tooth decay has led to 51 million school hours lost annually, and related dental disease can cost billions to our healthcare infrastructure. Early childhood cavities and related oral health complications also disproportionately affect low- income families and minority communities. The ACA has expanded access to dental services nationwide by designating pediatric dental services as one of the essential health benefits. Expanding access to affordable dental benefits is essential to securing the health and well-being of our children.…”