WASHINGTON – Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) introduced the bipartisan VA Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016. This legislation reauthorizes the current veteran dental insurance pilot program, created by a Burr provision in the Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, and expands access to all veterans who do not currently receive dental benefits. Senator John Tester (D-MT) is a cosponsor.

“The veterans dental insurance pilot program is a success,” said Senator Burr. “We know that access to dental care is important to maintaining overall health. The veterans’ dental insurance program works and it is time to give all of our veterans access to this insurance.”

The dental insurance pilot program was established in 2014 and has been proving veterans with access to dental care for three years. If Congress does not act, the families currently participating will lose their dental insurance benefits when the program sunsets in 2017.

The veterans, survivors and dependents who participate in the program have given it high marks for access to care and quality. The Burr bill puts the dental insurance program into law, ensuring that eligible veterans, survivors and dependents of veterans continue to have access to high quality, low-cost dental insurance.

Veterans who are eligible to receive their dental care directly from the VA will not be impacted by this program and will continue to receive their care through VA.