Organized Dentistry Makes a Big Push for the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), which would guarantee that all health insurance plans cover medically necessary treatment, including dental services, for patients with congenital anomalies, was passed by the United States House of Representatives in April. It needs to be passed by the US Senate in order to become law. Thus, the Organized Dentistry Coalition—a group of dentist-only organizations dedicated to lobbying for the interests of dentists as small business owners—is making a push to ensure the legislation makes it before the Senate prior to the end of the year. The lobbying group sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on October 7, urging lawmakers to bring the ELSA up for a vote. Click here to read more.