Dear [elected state legislative member]:

I am writing to urge you to maintain the state’s adult Apple Health dental program investments. I recognize that legislators face a challenging budget environment. However, our Apple Heath-insured neighbors, many of whom are lower-wage workers or seniors living in poverty, cannot afford to lose access to essential health care. Oral health is fundamental to overall health and wellbeing. Untreated oral disease can affect serious chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy complications. Dental pain, bad breath, decay, and tooth loss can impact school attendance, career opportunities, social interactions, and how others perceive you.

As you develop the biennial operating budget, I urge you and your colleagues to protect our comprehensive Apple Health (Medicaid) adult dental benefit. This benefit is vital not only for continuing essential health care coverage for more than one million adults in Washington state, but also for preventing future costs associated with a lack of prevention and deferred care. People without dental insurance are significantly less likely to go to the dentist. Children are less likely to access dental care when their parents or caregivers lack coverage. An inconsistent adult dental benefit strains our dental care delivery system, making it challenging for providers to participate in the program and undermining the sustainability of our community health center system.

We know from experience cutting the Apple Health adult dental benefit leads to poorer health outcomes, creates added pressure on our health care system, and disproportionately burdens people experiencing significant barriers to care further deepening health inequities. In 2011, during a period of substantial budget cuts, Washington state eliminated Apple Health comprehensive adult dental coverage. The cut caused long-delayed care and worse health outcomes as untreated minor oral health issues developed into more serious and often costlier problems. In the end, adults experiencing pain and infection had little choice but to seek relief at hospital emergency departments, which are ill equipped at addressing the underlying causes of oral disease and where care costs are more expensive than a dental office visit.

As the Legislature works to address budget challenges, I urge you and the legislature to protect the Apple Health adult dental benefit. The health and well-being of more than one million Washington residents depend on it. Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to a healthier, more equitable Washington state.

Sincerely,