On the recordSeptember 26, 2011
That is correct, Senator Bingaman, and I thank you for this opportunity to clarify my intentions. The amendment ensured that stand-alone dental policies may fulfill the requirements of the essential health benefits package when paired with a qualified health plan covering all benefits other than pediatric oral health services within the exchange. To be clear, I intended for stand-alone dental plans to fully comply with the same level of relevant consumer protections that are required of qualified health plans with respect to this essential benefit. To quote directly from my modified amendment C- 7 that was adopted in committee, ``. . . stand-alone dental plans must be allowed to offer the required pediatric dental benefits directly and to offer coverage through the Exchange and must comply with any relevant consumer protections required for participation in the Exchange.''
