As Republicans negotiate what will be included in the American Health Care Act before it goes to a vote, the Children’s Dental Health Project (CDHP) is joining 6 other pediatric health organizations in opposing the bill, noting that its drastic changes to Medicaid would have a detrimental effect on children and families.
“This bill ends the Medicaid program as we know it, jeopardizing coverage for the 72 million vulnerable Americans—primarily children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities—who rely on Medicaid for their healthcare,” the groups said in a joint statement.
According to the CDHP, children make up the largest group of people who rely on Medicaid. Nearly 36 million children receive Medicaid coverage, including those with special healthcare needs and those from low-income families. Medicaid’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefits cover dental screenings in addition to other care.
Yet, the groups believe that the bill’s plan to fund Medicaid through per capita caps, allow states to choose a block grant model, and lift EPSDT requirements for children would have a negative impact on care and, ultimately, quality of life. Overall, the groups state, children on Medicaid are more likely to get checkups, miss less school, graduate, and enter the workforce than their uninsured peers.
The CDHP is joined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Children’s Defense Fund, Family Voices, First Focus Campaign for Children, March of Dimes, and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
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