Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9833, the "Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act," would amend title XXI of the Social Security Act, which governs the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The bill would prohibit states from imposing lifetime or annual dollar limits on dental benefits provided to targeted low-income children under CHIP, and to targeted low-income pregnant women in states that elect to cover pregnancy-related assistance. It would also change existing CHIP rules on "wraparound" dental coverage—coverage that supplements a child's other health insurance when that insurance lacks adequate dental benefits—by converting this from an option for states into a requirement, meaning states would be required to waive certain cost-sharing rules and to offer dental-only supplemental coverage under specified conditions, rather than being permitted to do so at their discretion.
The bill primarily affects state CHIP programs, families with children enrolled in CHIP, and, where applicable, pregnant women covered under CHIP pregnancy-related assistance. States would face new mandatory obligations regarding dental benefit limits and supplemental dental coverage. Both sets of changes would take effect six months after the bill's enactment, giving states a transition period to implement the requirements.
The bill was introduced on July 22, 2026, by Rep. Nanette Barragán along with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. As an introduced bill, it has not yet received committee action, a vote, or further consideration, and would need to advance through committee, the full House, the Senate, and be signed into law before taking effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act
This bill modifies dental coverage under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Specifically, the bill prohibits lifetime or annual limits on CHIP dental coverage. It also requires states to offer dental-only supplemental coverage under CHIP to children who have other health insurance but are otherwise eligible for CHIP (i.e., wraparound coverage); such coverage is currently at the option of the state.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9833 do?
- H.R. 9833, the "Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act," would amend title XXI of the Social Security Act, which governs the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The bill would prohibit states from imposing lifetime or annual dollar limits on dental benefits provided to targeted low-income children under CHIP, and to targeted low-income pregnant women in states that elect to cover pregnancy-related assistance. It would also change existing CHIP rules on "wraparound" dental coverage—coverage that supplements a child's other health insurance when that insurance lacks adequate dental benefits—by converting this from an option for states into a requirement, meaning states would be required to waive certain cost-sharing rules and to offer dental-only supplemental coverage under specified conditions, rather than being permitted to do so at their discretion. The bill primarily affects state CHIP programs, families with children enrolled in CHIP, and, where applicable, pregnant women covered under CHIP pregnancy-related assistance. States would face new mandatory obligations regarding dental benefit limits and supplemental dental coverage. Both sets of changes would take effect six months after the bill's enactment, giving states a transition period to implement the requirements. The bill was introduced on July 22, 2026, by Rep. Nanette Barragán along with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. As an introduced bill, it has not yet received committee action, a vote, or further consideration, and would need to advance through committee, the full House, the Senate, and be signed into law before taking effect.
- Has H.R. 9833 become law?
- Not yet. As of 22 Jul 2026, H.R. 9833 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9833?
- H.R. 9833 was sponsored by Rep. Nanette Barragán [D-CA44] (Democrat-CA), with 17 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9833?
- Introduced (22 Jul 2026).
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