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Representative proposes emergency dental coverage for low‑ and moderate‑income seniors to avert ER visits
Summary
Rep. Cyrus Javedy told the committee HB 3326 would cover emergency dental care for Oregonians 65+ who are ineligible for Medicaid and earn below 400% of the federal poverty level; sponsor framed the proposal as cost‑saving by preventing expensive emergency‑room visits and reducing chronic‑disease complications tied to poor oral health.
Rep. Cyrus Javedy presented House Bill 3326 to the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care on March 13, proposing emergency dental coverage for Oregon residents aged 65 and older who are not eligible for Medicaid and who earn less than 400% of the federal poverty level.
"This is a targeted emergency‑based care for a population that falls through the cracks," Javedy said, describing services limited to extractions, X‑rays and a limited exam intended to prevent patients from seeking costly emergency‑room care for dental infections and abscesses. The sponsor argued the policy is cost‑effective because ER treatment for dental emergencies typically costs far more than the dental procedures.
Javedy told the committee the program would help about 50,000 seniors he described as vulnerable and without routine dental coverage under Medicare, noting Medicare generally does not cover dental services. He estimated a single extraction visit without insurance can cost several hundred dollars—an expense that can be prohibitive for seniors on fixed incomes.
Committee members asked whether the Oregon Health Authority had cost estimates or whether CCO budgets might already cover some of these visits; OHA staff said they would need to determine how the benefit would be financed and whether a fiscal impact exists. No opposition testimony was presented at the hearing.
Sponsor said the bill is a narrowly targeted, emergency‑only program designed to reduce avoidable ER utilization and downstream health complications linked to poor oral health among older adults.
