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H.R. 10419House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

SMILE for Veterans Act

Sponsored by Jack BergmanRep. Jack Bergman (R-MI)
Introduced September 16, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 22, 2026 at 11:52 AM UTC

The SMILE for Veterans Act directs the VA Secretary to launch a three‑year pilot that expands access to basic and urgent dental care for veterans living in rural areas. It does this by partnering with community‑based providers—including mobile clinics—and by running outreach to let veterans know about the services. The program targets veterans who are not otherwise eligible for VA dental benefits or who cannot get those benefits locally, and it includes special provisions for homeless veterans.

Key Provisions

  • Within one year, the VA must start the pilot in at least 10 rural locations across a minimum of five states.
  • Eligibility covers rural veterans not eligible for VA dental care or unable to meet VA access standards, with waived enrollment and residency rules for homeless veterans.
  • The program can use a range of community providers—nonprofits, health centers, rural clinics, mobile units, private practices, dental schools, etc.—prioritizing those with proven rural capacity.
  • Covered services include exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, periodontal care, and other necessary outpatient dental treatments; cosmetic procedures are excluded.
  • VA will set reimbursement rates that do not exceed rates paid under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program and will require providers to accept those rates as full payment.
  • Outreach will be conducted through VA facilities, websites, state and local veterans service officers, and designated VA staff points of contact to help veterans locate providers.
  • Funding is authorized at $5 million for FY 2027 and $20 million each year for FY 2028‑2030, with the program ending after three years and an annual effectiveness review.
  • A VA working group will evaluate rural dental access challenges and submit findings within 18 months; a comprehensive report to Congress is required three years after the pilot starts.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 16, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 16, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 16, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 16, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10419

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 16, 2026

Mr. Bergman (for himself, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. Golden of Maine, Ms. King-Hinds, and Mr. Murphy) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to improve access to and awareness of community-based dental services for veterans residing in rural areas, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Supporting Mobile and Integrated Local Examinations for Veterans Act or the SMILE for Veterans Act.

2.

Rural veterans dental access pilot program

(a)

Establishment

(1)

In general

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a pilot program to improve access to dental services for eligible veterans residing in rural areas by—

(A)

furnishing basic, preventive, restorative, and urgent dental services through reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements with community-based providers that offer dental services, including mobile dental services and no-cost dentistry day; and

(B)

conducting outreach to inform such veterans of the availability of such services.

(2)

Locations

The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in not fewer than ten locations in rural areas located in not fewer than five States.

(b)

Eligibility

(1)

In general

For purposes of the pilot program, an eligible veteran is a veteran who is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, resides in a rural area, and—

(A)

is not otherwise eligible for dental care and services furnished by the Department under section 1712 of such title; or

(B)

is eligible for dental care under section 1712 of such title, but is unable to access such care through the Department or the Community Care Network within the access standards established under section 1703(d) of such title.

(2)

Homeless veterans

In the case of a veteran who is homeless, as defined in section 2002 of such title, the Secretary—

(A)

may waive the requirement under this paragraph that the veteran be enrolled in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of such title;

(B)

may deem such veteran to satisfy the residency requirement under this paragraph if the veteran is receiving services in, or was last known to reside in, a rural area; and

(C)

shall establish procedures to permit eligibility for services under the pilot program based on alternative forms of verification, including documentation of participation in a program administered by the Department, another Federal agency, a State or local agency, or community partner serving homeless veterans.

(c)

Community-Based dental providers

In carrying out the pilot program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall identify community-based entities described in paragraph (1) that provide dental services in rural areas and that are willing to provide such services, subject to reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements with the Department, to veterans residing in such areas, and participate in outreach efforts to inform such veterans of the availability of such services.

(1)

Entities included

Community-based entities described in this paragraph include—

(A)

nonprofit organizations that provide dental services;

(B)

Federally Qualified Health Centers, including Community Health Centers;

(C)

Rural Health Clinics;

(D)

Critical Access Hospitals;

(E)

dental schools or institutions of higher education with dental education programs;

(F)

mobile dental clinics or mobile health programs that include dental services;

(G)

private dental practices; and

(H)

other community-based organizations that provide dental services to underserved populations.

(2)

Priority

In selecting among community-based entities described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, prioritize partnerships with entities that have demonstrated capacity to provide dental services in rural areas, including—

(A)

mobile dental clinics and other mobile health programs that include dental services in areas where permanent dental infrastructure is limited; and

(B)

providers with demonstrated community reach or the ability to deliver portable, community-based dental services in rural settings, including through care delivery models that do not require a permanent dental facility.

(3)

Participation criteria

The Secretary shall establish participation criteria for providers under the pilot program, including criteria relating to licensure, demonstrated capacity to serve rural areas, data reporting, and quality assurance.

(4)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section may be construed to—

(A)

require an entity participating in the pilot program to participate in the Veterans Community Care Program established under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code; or

(B)

prohibit an entity that participates in such program from also participating in the pilot program or from continuing to furnish care to veterans otherwise eligible for health care furnished under the Veterans Community Care Program through existing pathways while serving eligible veterans under this pilot program.

(d)

Provider directory

The Secretary shall maintain and update, not less than annually, a publicly available directory of community-based dental providers identified under this section that are willing to provide dental services to veterans and participate in outreach efforts under the pilot program.

(e)

Covered services and reimbursement

(1)

Covered services

The pilot program established under subsection (a) shall include outpatient dental services furnished to an eligible veteran that are necessary to evaluate, diagnose, prevent, or treat dental disease, infection, or pain, including—

(A)

oral examinations and evaluations;

(B)

diagnostic imaging, including X-rays;

(C)

teeth cleanings and other preventive dental services;

(D)

dental fillings;

(E)

urgent dental services to relieve pain, treat infection, or stabilize an oral condition;

(F)

basic extractions;

(G)

complete and partial dentures required following extractions covered under the pilot program, and preparatory services furnished to abutment teeth in support of denture placement, including—

(i)

scaling and root planing;

(ii)

endodontic treatment; and

(iii)

dental crowns;

(H)

nonsurgical periodontal services; and

(I)

other outpatient dental services as the Secretary determines appropriate to include as covered services under the pilot program.

(2)

Non-covered services

An entity participating in the pilot program may furnish to an eligible veteran additional medically necessary outpatient dental services that are not designated as covered services under paragraph (1), provided that the entity complies with the billing requirements under paragraph (3)(C)(ii). Services furnished under this paragraph may not include cosmetic or other elective dental procedures.

(3)

Reimbursement

The Secretary shall establish reimbursement rates for covered dental services under paragraph (1) furnished by community-based dental providers to eligible veterans under the pilot program.

(A)

Rate methodology

In establishing reimbursement rates, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that such rates do not exceed the rates paid for comparable services under dental plans offered through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program under chapter 89A of title 5, United States Code.

(B)

Terms and conditions

The Secretary shall establish terms and conditions for such reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements, including—

(i)

quality standards;

(ii)

reporting requirements; and

(iii)

procedures for the suspension, modification, or termination of participation for failure to meet program requirements.

(C)

Billing

As a condition of participation in the pilot program, an entity shall—

(i)

agree to accept, as payment in full for covered dental services furnished under the pilot program, the reimbursement rate established by the Secretary and not to bill or otherwise seek payment from a veteran for any amount in excess of such rate, except as authorized by the Secretary; and

(ii)

in the case of dental services not covered under the pilot program, may charge a veteran for such services only if—

(I)

the veteran elects to receive such services; and

(II)

the entity provides the veteran, in advance of furnishing such services, with a clear and understandable disclosure of the cost of such services and obtains the veteran’s consent to receive and pay for such services.

(D)

Processing

The Secretary shall process clean claims submitted by participating providers not later than 30 days after the date of submission.

(f)

Outreach and coordination

The Secretary shall use communication and outreach mechanisms of the Department to inform veterans residing in rural areas about dental services available through providers participating in the pilot program and to facilitate access for veterans to such services.

(1)

Outreach activities

Outreach and coordination activities under this subsection may include—

(A)

dissemination of information through Department medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics;

(B)

communication through the Department’s websites and digital platforms;

(C)

coordination with state and county veterans service officers;

(D)

coordination with participating providers to inform veterans of available services and to assist veterans in locating and accessing such providers; and

(E)

other outreach mechanisms as deemed appropriate by the Secretary.

(2)

Connection

The Secretary shall establish mechanisms to facilitate veterans’ access to participating community dental providers and to support care coordination, which may include—

(A)

enabling Department clinicians and care coordinators to connect veterans with participating community dental providers; and

(B)

designating, at each location in which the pilot program is carried out, an employee of the Department, as determined by the director of the medical center or community-based outpatient clinic of the Department with responsibility for such location, to serve as the point of contact for the pilot program, responsible for—

(i)

coordinating eligibility determinations under the pilot program, including eligibility determinations for homeless veterans under subsection (b)(2);

(ii)

coordinating with participating community-based dental providers; and

(iii)

assisting eligible veterans in accessing services under the pilot program.

(3)

Veterans otherwise eligible for department dental care

In carrying out activities under this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that outreach activities include information for veterans already eligible for dental care and services furnished by the Department under section 1712 of title 38, United States Code, regarding how to access such care, including through the Community Care Network or other Department programs.

(g)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

Establishment

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to stand up the pilot program under this section.

(2)

Execution

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2028 through 2030 to carry out the pilot program under this section.

(h)

Duration; annual review

The authority of the Secretary to carry out the pilot program under this section shall terminate at the end of the 3-year period following the date on which the program is established. During such period, the Secretary shall, on an annual basis, review the effectiveness of such pilot program to determine the potential of such pilot program for continuation or expansion.

3.

Working group on rural veteran dental access

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary shall establish an internal working group within the Department to evaluate dental care access challenges faced by veterans residing in rural areas.

(b)

Membership

The working group shall include representatives from—

(1)

the Veterans Health Administration;

(2)

the Office of Rural Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(3)

other relevant offices of the Department, as determined by the Secretary; and

(4)

representatives of community-based dental providers, nonprofit organizations, and other entities with experience providing mobile or community-based dental services, as appropriate.

(c)

Duties

The working group shall—

(1)

assess the availability of dental services for veterans residing in rural areas;

(2)

identify existing mobile or community-based dental programs serving such areas;

(3)

evaluate barriers that veterans face in accessing dental services through community providers;

(4)

identify opportunities for improved coordination between the Department and community dental providers;

(5)

identify best practices for outreach, provider coordination, mobile service delivery, and the use of reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements under the pilot program established under section 2; and

(6)

assess barriers to accessing dental benefits faced by veterans residing in rural areas who are otherwise eligible for dental care and services furnished by the Department under section 1712 of title 38, United States Code.

(d)

Recommendations

Not later than 18 months after the date on which the working group is established, the working group shall submit to the Secretary a summary of its findings under subsection (c). The Secretary shall consider such findings in carrying out the pilot program under section 2 and shall address in the report required under section 4 any actions taken in response to such findings.

4.

Report to congress

(a)

Report

Not later than three years after the establishment of the pilot program under section 2, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the pilot that includes—

(1)

a description of the community-based providers identified under such section;

(2)

an assessment of the effectiveness of outreach efforts conducted under such section;

(3)

recommendations for improving coordination between the Department and community-based dental providers;

(4)

an assessment of the extent to which reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements entered into under section 2(d) expanded access to dental services under the pilot program, including—

(A)

the number of veterans who received dental services under such reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements;

(B)

the types of dental services furnished pursuant to such reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements;

(C)

the geographic areas in which dental services were furnished pursuant to such reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements; and

(D)

the total costs of carrying out such reimbursements, contracts, or other agreements, including related outreach and information dissemination activities;

(5)

an assessment of dental access challenges faced by veterans in the pilot areas who are eligible for dental benefits under section 1712 of title 38, United States Code, including the extent to which such veterans face barriers to accessing those benefits, and any recommendations to address such challenges; and

(6)

a description of the findings and recommendations submitted by the working group under section 3 and any actions taken by the Secretary in response to such findings to modify or improve the pilot program.

5.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

The term no-cost dentistry day means a scheduled event at which one or more community-based dental providers furnish dental services to veterans at no charge to such veterans.

(2)

The term rural area means a census tract that has not been assigned a Rural-Urban Commuting Area code of 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 2.1, or 3.0 as determined under the coding system maintained by the Economic Research Service of the Department of Agriculture and the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.

(3)

The term State has the meaning given that term in section 101(20) of title 38, United States Code.