Lame duck session is upon us, and the Ohio House Insurance Committee could meet before the end of the 2022 legislative session in a last ditch effort to ram through the costly dental insurance bill. If passed, Ohio House Bill 344 would give dentists the ability to charge OCSEA members, and all insured Ohioans, whatever they want for non-covered dental services.
That's right! The dental bill (the one OCSEA activists have taken action against many times) could be back on the table unless we do something about it! HB 344 puts the power in the hands of dentists and their lobbyists and prevents dental insurance providers, like Delta Dental, from negotiating lower fees for non-covered services for their members. Please write a letter to House Insurance Committee members now! Click the blue button below and tell them to do what's best for already-struggling Ohioans and ditch the dental bill once and for all!
What is lame duck, you may ask? A legislative lame duck session occurs when legislators meet after an election has been held but before the next General Assembly has taken office. Lame duck sessions can be very dangerous, with "lame duck" members of the legislature on their way out voting erratically and irresponsibly. Because they are no longer influenced by electoral constraints, many ram through legislation just because they can or to satisfy promises to big donors.
With nothing to lose at the end of their terms, OCSEA and your dental benefits administrator, the Union Benefits Trust, are concerned that certain legislators could push through the dental bill for their big-business allies. But it doesn't have to be this way! With enough pressure from OCSEA activists like you, we can successfully push back in opposition against the dental bill. Let's put this to rest once and for all! Take action now!
More on the dental bill:
If passed, HB 344 would give dentists the freedom to charge whatever they want for non-covered services. Uncapping fixed dental fees for non-covered services will send dental service prices soaring for OCSEA members and, frankly, for EVERY Ohioan with dental insurance. With no fixed cap for non-covered dental services, dentists have unregulated control over the costs of non-covered services like laughing gas for children, implants, and fluoride treatments for adults over 55. This could also negatively impact frequency of covered service, including, but not limited to, extra cleanings and fluoride treatments for those with compromised immune systems (i.e., cancer patients, those undergoing radiation, diabetics and pregnant women). Lack of affordable oral care is also linked to heart and birth complications. Take action now!