North Dakota Senate supports SB 2231 to expand Medicaid dental coverage for adults

A significant shift in North Dakota's healthcare landscape is on the horizon as Senate Bill 2231 aims to expand Medicaid coverage to include medically necessary dental services for adults. This proposed legislation, discussed during the House Human Services Committee meeting on March 11, 2025, seeks to address a critical gap in dental care for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with special needs.

Senator Judy Lee, who introduced the bill, emphasized the importance of integrating oral health into overall health care. "Oral health is a tremendously important part of physical health, and we sometimes forget about that," she stated, highlighting that many individuals currently screened for dental issues under Medicaid do not receive necessary treatments due to lack of coverage.

Support for the bill came from various stakeholders, including Kim Kuhlman from the Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas, who noted that approximately 34,000 North Dakotans under Medicaid expansion currently lack dental coverage. Kuhlman argued that adding dental benefits would not only improve individual health outcomes but also reduce emergency room visits related to dental pain, which have nearly doubled in the past five years.

Community health center leaders echoed these sentiments, stressing that without dental coverage, many patients face significant barriers to accessing care. Mara Duran, CEO of Spectra Health, pointed out that the lack of reimbursement for dental services under Medicaid expansion forces health centers to absorb costs, limiting their ability to hire more dental staff and meet the growing demand for services.

The bill's proponents argue that including dental care in Medicaid expansion would lead to better health outcomes, increased productivity, and ultimately, cost savings for the state by reducing the need for expensive emergency care. As the committee deliberates, the potential impact of Senate Bill 2231 on the health and well-being of North Dakotans remains a focal point of discussion, with advocates urging swift action to close the dental care gap.