Kristina Keenan, national legislative director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, testifies during a House Veterans’ Affairs committee hearing on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — Disabled American Veterans and other advocates urged the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Wednesday to support legislation that would expand dental health benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs to millions more veterans.
The Dental Care for Veterans Act would make comprehensive, no-cost dental care part of a standard medical benefits package for veterans enrolled in VA health care, DAV Legislative Director Jon Retzer said at a hearing to examine two dozen bills affecting veterans benefits and services.
“Our position is informed by the lived experience of veterans whose service‑connected disabilities, prescribed medications, radiation therapy or mental health conditions contribute directly to serious dental conditions,” Retzer said.
Though 9 million veterans currently are enrolled in VA health care, less than a third are eligible for dental care and coverage, Retzer said.
No votes were taken on any of the bills, but the hearing gave stakeholders an opportunity to provide oral and written testimony on specific initiatives.
“We are at the halfway point of the second session of the Congress. It is important to hear from you about our progress,” Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., told veterans services groups and other stakeholders. “Do the bills on the list represent your members’ priorities?”
The DAV, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America and other groups outlined their positions on specific bills in written testimony.
Tim Stretton, a director at the Project on Government Oversight, testifies during a House Veterans’ Affairs committee hearing on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Tim Stretton, a director at the Project on Government Oversight, testified about the need to sustain and strengthen oversight of VA programs, including contracted services.
“The need for oversight remains substantial. Many programs operate under expired authorizations,” Stretton said. “Congressional oversight should not depend on which party is in the White House.”
In fiscal year 2025, nearly 900,000 veterans received dental care through the VA, including from community care providers, according to the VA.
The VA’s website outlines existing eligibility rules for dental coverage, how to apply for benefits and find resources for dental insurance.
Current law extends eligibility to veterans with 100% disability or who have service-connected dental injuries, as well as to former prisoners of war, said Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., who is leading the bill, which has 98 co-sponsors in the House.
Covered VA dental services also are available if a dental problem is aggravating a service-connected condition or complicates treatment of that condition.
“Specifically, this legislation would eliminate current statutory eligibility restrictions for VA dental care,” Brownley said when she introduced the bill in March.
The bill is also endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Military Officers Association of America, among other groups.
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Cole Lyle, legislative director for the American Legion, testifies during a House Veterans’ Affairs committee hearing on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The legislation is among more than a half-dozen bills pending votes in Congress that the organization supports, according to written testimony.
Kristina Keenan, national legislative director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said that access to VA dental services often is a problem for qualifying veterans, especially in rural areas.
“Many veterans experience hurdles, even with a service-connected injury,” Keenan said.
Out of 1,380 VA health facilities, dental care services are available only at a few hundred sites, Brownley said.
The VA is working to expand its community network of dental care providers registered to provide services.
The legislation would phase in expanded dental coverage over a four-year period.
That approach is practical and ensures the system can grow without overwhelming veterans or providers, Keenan said.
“Poor dental care is directly associated with poorer overall health. Yet, dental care has not been made universally available to our nation’s veterans,” Brownley said.
Retzer said DAV’s recommendation aligns with an independent budget report for veterans services that the organization co-authored with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The DAV would like to see an additional $675 million allocated to fund current dental services that could be used to hire more providers and expand dental treatment at VA facilities.
“Because VA’s dental resources are already at full capacity in most locations, Congress must ensure adequate resources, workforce growth and community care capacity to protect access for veterans currently receiving dental services,” Retzer said.
