G-2401-20142

Families USA is a non-partisan voice for health care consumers, dedicated to achieving high-quality, affordable health care and improved health for all. Families USA has been a funded partner of CareQuest Institute since 2016 with the primary goal to advance Medicare and Medicaid oral health policy. Major activities of the Oral Health for All Campaign last year included securing additional Medicare “medically necessary” dental coverage in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, increasing support for federal action on Medicaid and Medicare adult dental coverage, defending Medicaid benefits from political threats at the federal level, and raising the profile of oral health coverage impacts in the Medicaid redetermination process.

In 2024 and early 2025, Families USA proposes to 1) leverage current public support and momentum to position Medicare dental coverage as a top health equity priority for Congress and the next presidential administration; and 2) continue momentum for improving and protecting Medicaid adult dental coverage. These efforts are designed to foster community-driven policy change that addresses the root causes of oral health inequity while advancing smaller policy goals for 2023 and building momentum for long-term change following the 2024 election. Included in this work is the engagement of Families USA’s Community Advisory Council to strategize about the 119th Congressional oral health priorities and the investment in historically marginalized community leaders’ participation in the Oral Health for All campaign.

Families USA will provide individualized, in-depth technical assistance to partners in three states – to be determined - to ensure community leaders and partner organizations engage in oral health policy activities. Families USA will provide broad support to state and local level oral health stakeholders to engage in advocacy and education related to the impact of potential threats to Medicaid coverage. Additionally, Families USA will continue to serve as a resource and leader within the oral health community, including within OPEN’s infrastructure and CareQuest Institute’s grantee network, to bolster advocates’ engagement in state & federal-level discussions of policy changes to improve oral health & health. This includes the support and amplification of OPEN’s oral health election toolkit.

Short-term priorities include advancing “medically necessary” Medicare dental coverage through the Administration and addressing urgent threats to Medicaid oral health coverage. All proposed work will be designed to take advantage of the opportunities and momentum created in an election year to uplift key policy priorities, build policymaker champions, and amplify the lived experience of those who would benefit most from accessible and affordable oral health coverage.

The grant is recommended at the requested amount of 500,000, which represents 5% of Families USA’s overall budget. This amount reflects the request from CareQuest Institute to make a reduction from the original request of $700,000. Funding will support salaries (80% of the requested amount), health equity stipends, travel, communications/publications, and indirect funds.