ADA Backs Bill to Phase In VA Dental Care for All Veterans Enrolled in VA Health Care

Edited by Dentaltown staff

The ADA has endorsed legislation that would phase in Department of Veterans Affairs dental care for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system, while urging Congress to pair the expansion with funding, staffing, and community care capacity.

In a Nov. 9 letter to Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., the ADA expressed support for H.R. 210, the Dental Care for Veterans Act. The bill would remove the separate statutory eligibility restrictions on VA dental care and direct the VA to provide dental care in the same manner as other medical services.

Eligibility would expand in stages by VA enrollment priority group. Veterans already eligible for VA dental services would be covered immediately. Priority groups 1 and 2 would gain eligibility after one year, groups 3 and 4 after two years, groups 5 and 6 after three years, and groups 7 and 8 after four years.

The ADA cited a Sept. 23 Government Accountability Office report in which lead dentists from all 18 VA regional networks surveyed said facilities lacked the staffing needed to meet current demand. Seventeen of the 18 said VA dental staff or community care providers would face significant challenges if eligibility were expanded to all veterans with ischemic heart disease. GAO also reported that broader eligibility could increase referrals to community dental providers, where veterans may also face long waits.

The ADA called for dedicated funding for VA dentistry, continued investment in the VA dental workforce and facilities, and enough administrative and Community Care capacity for each stage of the rollout. It said reasonable and timely reimbursement, clear administrative processes, and effective network adequacy standards would help keep private practices participating in Community Care. The association also recommended access, utilization, and performance measures to track the expansion.

Brownley introduced H.R. 210 on Jan. 6, 2025, and it has 114 cosponsors. The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a legislative hearing on the bill May 20, and it has not advanced out of committee.

ADA President Thomas M. Paumier and Executive Director Nader A. Nadershahi signed the letter.

Sources:
ADA News, “ADA supports major expansion of VA dental benefits for veterans,” Nov. 10, 2026: adanews.ada.org/2026/november/va-dental-benefits-for-veterans
American Dental Association, letter to Rep. Julia Brownley on H.R. 210, Nov. 9, 2026: ada.org/november_9_2026_letter_to_representative_brownley.pdf
U.S. Government Publishing Office, H.R. 210, Dental Care for Veterans Act, introduced House text: govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119hr210ih