Last week, a Michigan woman suffered an entirely preventable death caused by a dental infection left untreated because the state cut Adult Dental Medicaid Benefits. A tragic story, but one that should serve as a warning to Governor Patrick as he contemplates 9C cuts.
This woman lost her Medicaid dental coverage just days before a scheduled surgery. Although a local dental clinic planned to donate their services for the surgery, the woman also required hospitalization due to her disabilities, which Medicaid would not cover.
As Massachusetts is poised before yet another round of 9C cuts, we must acknowledge that including adult dental benefits in MassHealth coverage is a necessary, lifesaving part of protecting our community.
“This woman had a chronic dental infection that ultimately killed her. If the infection had been but a dental infection, Medicaid would have paid for treatment, including hospitalization,” said Thomas Veryser, Executive Director of Dental Clinics North. “We predicted that cuts to the Adult Dental Medicaid Benefit would cost lives and now it has.”
In Massachusetts, almost 700,000 people, including more than 120,000 low-income seniors and 180,000 disabled individuals, rely on MassHealth for crucial dental services. With this example in mind, we ask the Administration even more urgently than ever to keep adult dental benefits for residents here in the Commonwealth on MassHealth.
You can help to protect MassHealth dental benefits and important oral health programs by calling Governor Patrick and making sure he knows that there oral health is an essential part of overall health! Follow this link for further instructions on making the call today!
- Christine Keeves
