II
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5088
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 22, 2026
Ms. Alsobrooks introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to prohibit lifetime or annual limits on dental coverage under the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and to require wraparound coverage of dental services for certain children under such program.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act
.
Prohibition of lifetime or annual limits on dental benefits under the Children's Health Insurance Program
In general
Section 2103(c)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397cc(c)(6)) is amended—
in subparagraph (A), by inserting , subject to subparagraph (D),
after shall include
;
in subparagraph (B), by striking A State
and inserting Subject to subparagraph (D), a State
; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
No lifetime or annual limits on dental benefits
A State shall not establish lifetime or annual limits on the dollar value of benefits for dental services provided under the State child health plan to a targeted low-income child, and, in the case that the State elects to provide pregnancy-related assistance pursuant to section 2112, to a targeted low-income pregnant woman (as defined in section 2112(d)), including benefits for such services that are provided through dental coverage that is otherwise equivalent to a benchmark dental package described in subparagraph (C).
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
Requiring wraparound coverage of dental services for certain children under CHIP
In general
Section 2110(b)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397jj(b)(5)) is amended—
in the paragraph header, by striking Option
and inserting Requirement
;
in subparagraph (A), by striking may waive
and inserting shall waive
; and
by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:
Requirement for no more favorable treatment
A State that provides dental-only supplemental coverage under this paragraph may not provide more favorable dental coverage or cost-sharing protection for dental coverage to children provided dental-only supplemental coverage under this paragraph than the dental coverage and cost-sharing protection for dental coverage provided to targeted low-income children who are eligible for the full range of child health assistance provided under the State child health plan.
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.