Federal Employees Dental and Vision Benefits Enhancement Act of 2004
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES DENTAL AND VISION BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2004 -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 11, 2004)
SPEECH OF
HON. DANNY K. DAVIS
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2004
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, visual health and oral health are integral to our general health. Eye and oral diseases are progressive and become more complex over time. Our ability to eat, see, read, learn, and communicate all depend on good visual and oral health.
Periodic eye and dental examinations are an important part of routine preventive health care. Many visual and oral conditions present no obvious symptoms. Therefore, individuals are often unaware that problems exist.
There are safe and effective measures to prevent the most common eye and dental diseases. That is why early diagnosis and treatment are important for maintaining good visual and oral health and why a vision and dental benefit should be made available to federal employees and annuitants.
We know that in 1987 the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) stopped plans in the Federal Health Benefits program from adding new vision and dental packages. OPM did so for various reasons. However, that decision was made over 15 years ago, and it is time to take a fresh look at how we can meet the visual and oral health needs of federal employees.
In the long run, preventive care, through periodic examinations and doctor visits, will help keep down long term vision and dental costs due to early detection.
Therefore, I am extremely pleased to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 5295, which permits OPM to contract with qualified companies to offer dental and vision benefits to federal employees and retirees under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.
I am also pleased that this bill includes a provision that requires OPM to study the feasibility of providing hearing benefits to federal employees and retirees. Currently, over 28 million Americans suffer hearing loss, half of whom are under the age of 50. Hearing loss is not just a problem affecting adults. Thirty-three children are born everyday with some form of hearing loss. With early detection and treatment, these children can be taught in regular classes, saving a school system as much as $500,000 during a 12-year education.
I included similar language in H.R. 3751, which passed the House in June. Like vision and dental benefits, most insurance plans do not provide hearing benefits, such as coverage for hearing aids. I believe the Federal Government should consider taking a lead in this area.
I urge my colleagues in the House to support this legislation.