SB 2017-095: Veterans’ Dental Health Act (Passed)

[Associate Justice PiT]

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Sponsor: SJoyce

     I hereby open the floor for debate.

[Donerail]

This legislation makes comprehensive dental care available to all veterans along the lines of other medical services. Happy to answer any questions.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Do we know what the rationale was for excluding it in the first place? Furthermore, I surmise this is referring to dental services being rendered at VA hospitals, correct?

[Donerail]

Do we know what the rationale was for excluding it in the first place? Furthermore, I surmise this is referring to dental services being rendered at VA hospitals, correct?

Dentistry has always been sort of a separate deal from other healthcare. Medicare doesn't cover dental, and neither does the ACA or most Medicaid plans. I don't think there was a "rationale" so much as an inertia that carried forward—no one else really covers dental, so why should the VA? I'd like to see those other programs modified as well, but I know Scott has some healthcare bill in the works and don't want to step on any toes before that happens.

Yes, it would be available through VA hospitals.

[Anna Komnene]

I like this idea.  It's probably something that would help veterans too because on a tour of duty, sometimes it might be hard to keep up great dental hygiene so they might end up needing some more specialized treatments, not just with dentristry but lots of things.

I wonder whether we'd need to allocate any funds for this or whether that's being left for the budget?  I guess otherwise the VA would just reallocate funds to be able to provide these services while cutting other things.

[Modernity has failed us]

Makes sense to pass this. For obvious reasons, preserving all areas of health care for our veterans should be a top priority.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     If there are no further comments we can move to a final vote in 24 hours.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     A final vote is now open on this bill. Senators have 72 hours to vote aye, nay, or abstain.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aye.

[Donerail]

Aye

[Modernity has failed us]

Aye

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Aye. This bill has enough votes to pass. Senators have 24 hours to change their votes.

[Anna Komnene]

Aye

[Associate Justice PiT]

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Atlasian Senate
Passed 5-0-1 in the Atlasian Senate assembled
Be it resolved, X Senator PiT, PPT[/quote]