Seniors deserve dental coverage
Seniors spent their lives paying into Medicare. It’s time to include dental services in Medicare Part B.
Since COVID-19 hit, the American Dental Association has argued that dental care is essential. I agree. The ADA’s mission statement suggests it will “support the advancement of the health of the public.” Yet the association opposes inclusion of a dental benefit in Medicare Part B.
If oral health is essential, why not include it for all seniors? We don’t want seniors in the emergency room/ hospital for dental care. A recent ADA Morning Huddle (9/22/21) suggested providing “dental benefits to Medicare beneficiaries making less than 300% of the poverty level.” I concur with increasing dental benefits, but not through means- testing. Medicaid varies state by state and year by year. That same Morning Huddle reported that “15 million could lose Medicaid coverage when the pandemic emergency ends.” So much for Medicaid.
As a geriatric dentist who has seen the ravages of no care in seniors, I’ve reviewed research that shows:
Oral health affects physical health, and vice versa.
Over half of seniors do not have dental insurance; half who do have insurance do not use care.
The proportion insurance increases with age.
Preventive dental care has a positive return on investment.
Seniors paid their dues. It’s time to include dental services in Medicare Part B.
Judith A. Jones
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry Executive Director, American Board of Dental Public Health
Help farmers to fight effects of climate change
As we deal with the devastating aftermath of a spring drought and recent flooding, it’s worth turning our attention to the importance of farming in Michigan and how changes in our climate threaten this way of life.
I grew up in Michigan and have been involved in agriculture, mostly rearing livestock, since I was a child. I’ve never been more worried about the agricultural community’s ability to grow, raise, and produce food in a way that supports the well-being of our human and natural communities. We are already bearing witness to the ways in which climate change is producing unpredictable weather patterns that threaten the economic, social and ecological sustainability of farming in Michigan.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, extreme weather has cost our state hundreds of millions of dollars in lost crops, with flooding and droughts causing the most damage. This estimate will only increase throughout the decade as climate change continues to make weather more unpredictable and extreme; we cannot afford to continue being reactionary.
As climate change continues to ravage the globe, we need policies in place that support efforts for climate justice by empowering farmers, feeding families, protecting our planet, and uplifting communities. It is time to be proactive about protecting what we hold dear, and for Michigan farming communities, that means it is time to go bold on climate.