dental bill would increase costs for insured working families
This week, the Ohio House Insurance Committee will hear opponent testimony from groups opposed to House Bill 344, the proposed dental bill that would increase costs for already-strapped working families. OCSEA members, as well as any Ohioan they know with dental insurance, are urged to write members of the Ohio House Insurance Committee and tell them to stop this costly regulation in its tracks. Write the Insurance Committee NOW!
Opponents include OCSEA and other representatives of working Ohioans. OCSEA will be submitting remarks opposing the bill this week, reiterating what the union has said for years, every time this type of bill is proposed: This dental bill will hurt EVERY insured Ohioan!
Not only would House Bill 344 increase dental costs for OCSEA members and their families covered under the Union Benefits Trust, it would increase costs for every Ohioan who has dental insurance. If passed, HB 344 would give dentists the freedom to charge Ohioans, including OCSEA members, whatever they want for non-covered dental services. OCSEA and your dental benefits administrator, the UBT, adamantly oppose the proposed legislation as it prevents dental insurance providers, like Delta Dental, from negotiating lower fees for non-covered services for their members. The UBT has testified against similar bills in the past and will present opposing testimony at a future hearing.
In addition to union testimony this week, your action is needed! Write the Insurance Committee NOW! OCSEA members, as well as any Ohioan they know with dental insurance, are urged to write members of the Ohio House Insurance Committee and tell them to stop this costly regulation in its tracks. We've been here before! Similar dental bills have included allowances for dentists to have absolutely no fixed cap for non-covered dental services but thanks to your activism, they've failed every time. Let's do it again, and end this time once and for all!