Bernie Sanders
Related: About this forumSenate Hearing Held on Sanders' Legislation to Expand Dental Care for Veterans
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Excerpt:
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing Wednesday afternoon to consider legislation authored by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to expand access to dental care for veterans.
The goal of my legislation is really pretty simple: to improve and expand access to dental care for veterans throughout the country, said Sanders, who is a longtime member and former chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Today, millions of veterans have access to timely, high-quality health care through the VA. However, very few of these veterans have access to dental care through the VA. To my mind, this doesnt make sense. The evidence is very clear that a persons oral health is directly linked to a persons general health.
If a person has oral health problems problems with their teeth or their gums those problems can cause serious diseases and illnesses, everything from heart disease to premature births, Sanders said.
Sanders legislation would create a three-year pilot program to test the idea of ensuring all veterans who are eligible for VA health care are also eligible for VA dental care.
Sanders legislation also gives the VA the authority to provide restorative dental care services to veterans. That means if the VA pulls a veterans tooth to prepare them for surgery, they will be able to then furnish the veteran with dentures or implants. We know that missing teeth can have a huge impact on a persons life. It can affect their mental health, their ability to get or keep a job, or quite simply make it hard for them to eat, Sanders said.
Sanders legislation also would empower the VA to provide veterans education and training on effective oral hygiene. Thats another common-sense, low-cost solution that will help veterans take care of themselves, prevent problems and save the system money, Sanders said.
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-hearing-held-on-sanders-legislation-to-expand-dental-care-for-veterans
mountain grammy
(27,016 posts)Serafina2242
(17 posts)Myhusband served his time in the Navy and needs this benefit, He is 69 years old and needs a new dental bridge. without this benefit I so little hope of us being able to pay for it