G-2101-16635

This investment provides continued support to the Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA) to advocate for the coverage of medically necessary oral health care by Medicare and continue to engage with a group of national stakeholders working to include a comprehensive oral health benefit in Medicare. The Center for Medicare Advocacy focuses its work on improving the ability of older people and people with disabilities to access coverage for oral health care across the nation. By doing so, this work will facilitate access to critical health care and reduce unnecessary illness and death as well as the cost associated with higher levels of care and emergency services required when preventive care is not provided. The project will focus on ensuring that oral health is a key component of health policy by working with congressional and executive champions to affirm Medicare's coverage and engaging national and state-based oral health stakeholders to advocate for a comprehensive oral health benefit. Center for Medicare Advocacy will provide guidance and expertise in devising and implementing strategies in collaboration with national partners in support of a comprehensive Medicare oral health benefit; engage legislative champions and provide subject matter expertise to inform relevant proposed bills; actively participate in OPEN policy calls, the Medicare Oral Health Coalition, and emerging opportunities to build alignment in this strategy; and continue to advocate for Medicare coverage of medically essential oral health care, including partnering with Dental Lifeline Network to develop communications materials about the intersection between oral health and other chronic health conditions. Grant funds of $80,000 will be used to support staff and consultant time and administrative costs associated with the implementation this project.