More States Cut Medicaid Benefits

Following in the footsteps of states like California and Michigan, Massachusetts is close to cutting dental Medicaid benefits for adults, according to the Boston Globe. The cuts are needed to close a $307 million shortfall for Medicaid benefits. The dental benefit cuts are expected to save $15 million this year. Unlike some states, patients in Massachusetts would still be provided coverage for cleanings, X-rays and emergency services.

They are …

Michigan lawsuit tries to save adult dental Medicaid

A few weeks after a Michigan woman’s death was blamed on her untreated periodontitis, a Michigan lawyer has filed a lawsuit to try to block the state’s termination of adult dental Medicaid benefits. The suit was filed by Gary Gordon in U.S. District Court on behalf of 400,000 Michigan Medicaid beneficiaries who lost their access to dental care when the governor canceled the benefit in July.

The lawsuit claims that …

Dental Medicaid cuts blamed for patient’s death

Many states (like California) have cut dental Medicaid benefits in order to save money. The loss of dental coverage is a great loss for those in need of dental treatment. Unfortunately, lawmakers (and most other people) fail to see oral health as a life and death necessity. Just this month, a case involving a Michigan woman shows us all that oral health problems can kill, especially if not taken care …