Virginia’s Considering Raising Dental Medicaid Reimbursement Rates and YOU Can Make a Difference

Dec 17, 2021

Governor Northam released his proposed budget this week, and it included a small, insufficient increase in dental Medicaid reimbursement rates. Costs for dental services have increased more than 60 percent since the last increase and the Governor’s budget proposes a five percent increase. That amount is not nearly enough to address the growing funding gap. The VDA has been advocating for a meaningful increase and sent a letter this week to all 140 members of the General Assembly emphasizing the need for a meaningful funding increase.

Incoming House Appropriations Chair Delegate Barry Knight explained the next steps in a statement, saying, “The Governor’s proposed budget for 2022-24 serves the same function as every other budget sent to the General Assembly – it’s a place to start, an outline of a document that will be crafted by the General Assembly beginning with the House Appropriations Committee. While a number of the Governor’s suggestions have merit, I expect there to be significant differences between what was presented today, and the final product signed into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin next year.”

CHECK OFF THESE THREE ITEMS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

There’s no substitute for legislators hearing directly from dentists who are trusted members of their communities about the issues they’re facing with the Medicaid program. If it’s your first lobby day, it’s a great opportunity to meet other dentists and we will pair you with other dentists in your districts for the legislative meetings.

REGISTER

Contact your legislators through the VDA’s Action Center

It takes just a minute to share a personalized message from the template provided with your representatives in the House of Delegates and State Senate. Lawmakers are very busy and hearing directly from their constituents helps reinforce the importance of this request when they are contacted by the VDA Government Affairs team.

TAKE ACTION

Make sure you don’t miss an update as we go through the General Assembly session by signing up for text alerts. Text “VDA” to 52886 or click the button below.

SIGN UP