The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5413, aims to establish a Veterans Dental Care Access Program, effective October 1, 2026, to assist eligible veterans in obtaining dental services. The program will be administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and will cater to veterans who are residents of the state, have a service-connected disability rating of less than 100%, are not receiving dental care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and have a household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. The bill outlines the types of dental services covered, which include preventive, restorative, prosthetic, and oral surgery services, while explicitly excluding dental implants, orthodontics, and cosmetic services.

Eligible veterans can apply for assistance starting January 1, 2027, and the commissioner will verify eligibility within ten days. Once approved, veterans will be referred to participating dental providers to develop a treatment plan. The program will cover up to $3,500 in dental services per calendar year, with provisions for invoicing and payment to providers. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting on the program's performance and allows for the transfer of funds from the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund to support the program's administration. The bill also repeals and replaces existing language in Section 27-128 of the general statutes to include provisions for the new program.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 27-128