Washington, DC — Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne says it’s now up to the Senate to pass a bill she co-sponsored that would force insurance companies to cover dental procedures and oral surgeries needed to treat rare birth defects.
The bill cleared the U.S. House this past week with bipartisan support.
Axne says there are medical procedures that help, but insurance companies are classifying the surgeries as cosmetic procedures and denying coverage.
Children with this condition may have missing teeth or teeth that are shaped differently and have defective enamel. The condition often makes it difficult to chew, swallow and even speak. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has introduced an identical bill in the Senate and Axne says she hopes that means the Senate will be able to pass it soon and send it to the President. The bill passed the U.S. House this past week on a 310-to-110 vote.
