G-1912-15915

This investment supports Put People First-PA (PPF) to organize patients and consumers to advocate for comprehensive public adult dental benefits, as part of a larger effort to expand health care to all. Their work closely aligns with The DentaQuest Partnership priorities to promote health equity, engage grassroots partners in systems-change advocacy, and expand access to public adult dental benefits. As a DentaQuest-funded grassroots lead organization for the last five years, PPF has demonstrated fundamental values of health equity and racial justice, as well as a commitment to provide space for those most affected by the broken system to be heard. In 2020, PPF will actively engage grassroots and community-based partners in advocacy and education around a joint resolution to study the cost of the adult dental benefit cut, including a letter writing campaign, legislative visits, social media activity, providing testimony, and building three new local health care rights committees. They are working in close coordination with other partners in the state to bring historically marginalized voices into the policy change conversation. $99,000 will support staff time, an annual meeting, in-state travel, and other administrative costs.