Mountain State Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 20, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), along with her colleagues Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), introduced the Dental Care for Our Troops Act, bipartisan legislation that would ensure that every service member has premium-free dental care.

“Dental care in our National Guard and Reserve is a growing issue, keeping tens of thousands of troops from being able to deploy and serve our country. I have heard firsthand how a lack of access to dental care affects military readiness, and this legislation helps provide the access to care our troops deserve and need,” Senator Capito said. “I am continually impressed by the men and women who serve in the West Virginia National Guard and the broad array of missions they support around the world. Our military relies heavily on the ability of National Guard and Reserve members, and I will continue to put forward solutions that support them.”

BACKGROUND:

The Dental Care for Our Troops Act would waive premiums and co-pays in the TRICARE Dental Program for all members of the reserve components. In addition to guaranteeing dental insurance, this legislation would ensure that all service members are ready to deploy and serve our country when called upon. Dental health is vital to military readiness, and despite being responsible for their own deployability, reserve component service members must cover their own dental insurance and dental procedures.

The Dental Care for Our Troops Act is supported by VoteVets, Reserve Organization of America, National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, and the Air Force Sergeants Association.

More information on the Dental Care for Our Troops Act is available here.

Original source can be found here.