(Washington, D.C.) – The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) released the following statement today applauding the introduction of H.R. 1219, the Oral Health Products Inclusion Act. This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), would increase access to certain oral care items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and other everyday oral care essentials by recognizing them as “qualified medical expenses” that can be purchased with Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) funds. This legislation builds upon a previous bipartisan victory in 2020, which reinstated FSA/HSA eligibility for OTC medicines, and for the first time, feminine care products, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law in March 2020.
Oral health problems are some of the most common conditions among American adults. If left untreated, they can contribute to chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, COPD, liver disease, and more. A recent study conducted by the National Dental Association (NDA) and CHPA found that these problems are worse among lower-income, less-educated, and more rural communities who often seek emergency oral care from non-dentists at least once a year. In the U.S., emergency dental care visits due to untreated oral diseases result in more than $45 billion in lost work productivity and children losing 34 million school hours on average annually for emergency treatments.
"As American families strive to take a proactive approach to their own health amidst our overburdened healthcare system, the importance of policies that increase access to essential, everyday oral care products cannot be overstated,” said CHPA President and CEO Scott Melville. “By allowing OTC oral care essentials to qualify as eligible medical expenses, Americans will be further encouraged to proactively take charge of their own health. This will ultimately reduce families’ long-term medical costs for more severe health conditions potentially caused by poor oral hygiene. CHPA commends Reps. Van Drew, Schneider, Malliotakis, and Panetta for once again spearheading this effort in the House of Representatives. This legislation is a testament to our shared commitment of holistic self-care approaches that empower Americans from every income level to better manage their overall health, while helping reduce further strain on the U.S. healthcare system in the process.”
“Oral health is essential for overall health and well-being, and Americans should be able to count at-home oral care essentials—like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss —among the HSA- and FSA-eligible products that support health maintenance and wellness,” said Brett Kessler, D.D.S., President of the American Dental Association. “Daily oral care is critical for disease prevention and can lead to reduced health care costs for consumers. The American Dental Association supports this legislation to ensure oral care products are recognized as everyday essentials, making them more accessible to all Americans.”
"Oral health self-care – brushing, flossing, and oral irrigating – is the foundation of good oral hygiene,” said National Dental Association President Dr. Cheryle Baptiste Hill, “and this bill makes everyday oral care even more accessible to consumers, especially at-risk populations that may have limited access to other oral health services."
"As a dentist of 30 years, I understand the importance of good oral hygiene,” said Congressman Van Drew. “That is why I am proud to be a sponsor on this bill, which will recognize these oral care items as qualified medical expenses in an important step towards encouraging a healthier lifestyle for Americans. By making these items more affordable and accessible, we are not just promoting better dental health; we are also empowering individuals to take control of their overall well-being."
“Oral health is imperative to good physical health and has a large impact on quality of life," said Congressman Schneider. "Health Savings Accounts are efficient investment vehicles that allow Americans to save and pay for their healthcare expenses, but despite other OTC medications being eligible for HSAs, OTC oral care products are not. Making these products eligible medical expenses will empower more Americans to take charge of their oral health.”
“When left untreated, poor oral hygiene can contribute to serious chronic illnesses, including diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases,” said Congresswoman Malliotakis. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to expand FSA and HSA eligibility to certain oral care items so Americans can reduce the potential for long-term medical expenses and better manage their dental health needs.”
“Too many Americans face barriers to maintaining good oral health, leading to serious long-term consequences for their overall well-being,” said Congressman Panetta. “By reintroducing the bipartisan Oral Health Products Inclusion Act, we are taking a commonsense step to ensure that families can use their FSA and HSA funds to purchase everyday oral health essentials. Through this action, Congress can help working families prevent disease, reduce healthcare burdens, and improve their quality of life.”
_____________________________________________________________
Background: In 2020, Congress took a strong bipartisan step by reinstating the ability for consumers to use their FSA/HSA accounts to purchase OTC products, and for the first time, feminine care products, through the passage of the CARES Act. In addition to OTC medicines and feminine care products, current law allows consumers to use these accounts to pay for certain other healthcare costs including prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care. Unfortunately, most products for oral health care are not considered “qualified medical expenses” eligible for FSA/HSA spending. By expanding eligibility to certain oral care products, the Oral Health Products Inclusion Act would give millions of Americans increased flexibility in how they manage their oral health, while, at the same time, reducing the strain on the U.S. healthcare system overall.
In addition to CHPA, this legislation is also supported by the following stakeholder groups:
- American Dental Association
- Academy of General Dentistry
- American Association of Endodontists
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Dental Association
- Association of State & Territorial Dental Directors
- FMI – The Food Industry Association
- Health-E Commerce
- Healthy Americas Foundation
- National Alliance for Hispanic Health
- National Dental Association
- Sjögren's Foundation
