On the recordSeptember 26, 2011
That is correct and I thank the Senator for all his efforts in support of children's dental coverage as well and for this opportunity to clarify the intentions of my amendment. I offered this amendment to allow competition in the marketplace for dental benefits by allowing traditional stand-alone dental plans to participate both in and outside an exchange, just like health plans that provide coverage for medical care. 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 quote directly from the amendment, it indicated that ``required pediatric dental benefits in the non-group and small group markets (in and outside an exchange) may be separately offered and priced from other required health benefits.'' Many American families today receive dental coverage through stand- alone dental plans. Failure to properly implement the amendment as it was intended could result in serious disruptions in the dental coverage these families receive. That is why it is important that we get this right, and I appreciate the opportunity to make this clarification.
