Congressman Cummings "Extremely Disappointed" with CMS Inaction on Children's Access to Dental Care

Press Release

Congressman Cummings "Extremely Disappointed" with CMS Inaction on Children's Access to Dental Care

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland) today expressed his dissatisfaction with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services' lack of response to an inquiry into efforts to improve children's access to dental care. CMS Director Dennis Smith initially requested a deadline extension to June 15, but missed that deadline. He has requested a second, indefinite deadline extension of late this week or early next week.

Congressman Cummings said:

"Director Smith has an obligation under the law to provide children who are eligible for Medicaid with access to dental care and I am committed to ensuring that he meets that obligation.

"It concerns me greatly that Director Smith first made the argument in our hearing that he did not have any options available to him, and now has no response to our recommended courses of action.

"I am extremely disappointed that we have not yet received a response, but I am hopeful that we will hear from him by this Friday-the third deadline we have set.

"Every day that passes is another day children are suffering because they cannot get access to the care they desperately need."

In a Baltimore press conference this morning, Congressman Cummings said that he will personally reach out to Director Smith if he does not receive a satisfactory response, and that he will call for another hearing if necessary.

On May 17, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07) introduced "Deamonte's Law," a bill, H.R. 2371, to increase children's dental services in community health centers and to train more individuals in pediatric dentistry. The legislation was introduced in response to the tragic death of a 12-year-old Maryland boy named Deamonte Driver, who died on February 25, 2007, when a tooth infection spread to his brain.

Source