Bipartisan Support Grows for Baldwin's Reform Inspired By Wisconsin Teenager

Statement

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced growing support for her bipartisan reform to ensure health insurance coverage for needed treatment and procedures for individuals born with congenital anomalies or birth defects. After introducing the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) with Joni Ernst (R-IA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Baldwin's bipartisan legislation has gained 18 cosponsors.

Senator Baldwin worked on this legislation after hearing the story of 14 year-old Aidan Abbott of Slinger, Wisconsin who was born with Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED), a rare congenital disease, and who has needed intense dental and oral care, and will need reconstructive surgeries throughout his life, among other services related to ED. Despite having comprehensive health insurance, the Abbotts were denied coverage for Aidan's dental work and forced to pay out of pocket for his treatments. Although most health plans cover care for congenital anomalies, claims are routinely denied or delayed for any oral-related procedures due to an individuals' disorder.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (S.560) would close a coverage gap to ensure that health plans cover medically necessary services related to a patient's anomaly or birth defect, including any serious dental and oral-related procedures that are necessary to maintaining health and overall function. Last week, children and families from across the country came to Capitol Hill as part of the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) Advocacy Day to help garner support for the legislation.

"Aidan's story continues to inspire my work on this issue to guarantee that individuals born with congenital anomalies have access to the comprehensive health treatments and coverage they need," said Senator Baldwin. "Despite covering all of his other medical care, his family's insurance continues to refuse to cover his dental care needs, forcing them to spend thousands of dollars out of their own pockets. That's why I'm working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass my bipartisan legislation and close this loophole so families like Aidan's can get the health care they need at a price they can afford."

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