Here they go again! State legislators are being pressured by lobbyists to vote this week on House Bill 160, the dangerous dental bill that would lift caps on non-covered dental services and raise your out-of-pocket costs. There’s also a chance they might sneak HB 160 into another bill, hoping no one will notice.

OCSEA has long opposed this money grab by the dental lobby, and we continue to fight them every single day no matter what tricks they might play. Just today, OCSEA President Chris Mabe sent a letter to legislators making it clear where we stand.

“Without changes, HB 160 would prioritize the interests of the dental lobby and industry over patient care and the economic welfare of Ohio residents, including members of our union, OCSEA,” Mabe said in his letter to legislators. “Allowing dentists to set their own prices for non-covered dental services could jeopardize patient care and impose financial burdens on individuals seeking dental health services that they cannot overcome.”

We are calling on activists and OCSEA members to contact members of the Ohio House Insurance Committee and the Health Provider Services Committee NOW to stop House Bill 160. Tell them that any proposed changes to dental regulations must prioritize affordability and quality of care. Patients must come before profits!

If HB 160 passes, it would prevent dental insurance providers, like Delta Dental, from negotiating lower fees for non-covered services for their members, including OCSEA members. Basically, it would give dentists the ability to charge whatever amount they want for non-covered services.

Call or leave a voicemail saying the following: Hi, my name is [INSERT NAME] and I’m a public employee. I am calling to express my opposition to House Bill 160. Ohioans can’t afford to pay more for dental care. I urge you to vote no and to oppose any effort to raise the cost of dental services.”

In a surprise about-face, the committee that was scheduled to include Senate Bill 160, the dangerous dental bill, into another bill to fast track it through committee, announced it would be refraining from doing so at today's hearing. Ohio House Health Provider Services Committee today indicated they are “putting off” including the dental amendment in Senate Bill 40. While the committee could take it up again as early as next week, this is still a testament to the power of union activism.

“This underscores the power of our membership to make legislators think twice about controversial bills,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe. “When we work together, we are a force to be reckoned with. But we must keep up the pressure to stop this bill,” he said. "I want to thank all the activists who made the calls. This is how battles are won: one small victory at a time."

Mabe also sent a letter to House Minority Leader Russo and Speaker of the House Stephens encouraging them to reconsider the amendment. In it he said:

“As the leader of the largest state employee’s union, I am deeply committed to both the physical well-being and financial security of our members. This potential legislation would have harmful effects on our members and on all Ohioans, impacting both their health and financial stability. The dental bill, in its current form, prioritizes the interests of the dental lobby and industry over patient care and the economic welfare of Ohio residents, including members of our union, OCSEA.”

“While we’re encouraged by this development, we will stand vigilant knowing that this issue could resurface in the near future,” said Mabe. OCSEA activists have been diligently working against this bill and others like it for 12 years.

If passed, the bill would prevent dental insurance providers, like Delta Dental, from negotiating lower fees for non-covered services for their members, including OCSEA union members. Basically, it takes away the bargaining power that comes with having a benefits provider and gives dentists the ability to charge ANY AMOUNT of money they want for non-covered services.

April 15, 2024
State legislators are up to their old tricks again. Now that they know there’s opposition to House Bill 160, the dangerous dental bill that would lift caps on non-covered dental services and raise our out-of-pocket costs, legislators and the dental lobby are trying to sneak it in the back door.

Although Senate Bill 160 was passed by the Ohio Senate last year, it got stalled in an Ohio House Committee, in part thanks to the work of OCSEA activists. But now a hearing will be held TOMORROW to consider another bill, Senate Bill 40. That bill is expected to be amended to include House Bill 160, the dangerous dental bill.

We’re calling on activists and OCSEA members to contact members of the Ohio House Health Provider Services Committee immediately about this back door tactic. Tell them to STOP this unnecessary dental bill that would raise our out-of-pocket costs. This is our last chance to contact legislators about the bill!

When amended, Senate Bill 40, would increase dental costs for OCSEA members and all Ohioans with dental insurance! If passed, SB 40 would prevent dental insurance providers, like Delta Dental, from negotiating lower fees for non-covered services for their members, including OCSEA union members. Basically, it takes away the bargaining power that comes with having a benefits provider and gives dentists the ability to charge ANY AMOUNT of money they want for non-covered services.

Please contact this new committee TODAY as the bill is being heard at 3 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday April 16. TAKE ACTION: Contact the members of the Ohio House Health Provider Services Committee! Tell them to STOP the unnecessary dental bill for good.

Call or leave voicemail saying the following: Hi, my name is [INSERT NAME], and I’m a public employee. I am calling in opposition to the dental limits that are being proposed in Ohio Senate Bill 40. I encourage you to remove the dental limits completely. Ohioans can’t afford to pay more for dental coverage. I urge you to vote NO and take the dental limits off the table once and for all. 

Ohio House Health Provider Services Committee:

• Representative Alessandro Cutrona  (R) (Chair) | Phone: 614-466-6107         
• Representative Jennifer Gross (R) (Vice Chair) | Phone: 614-466-8550         
• Representative Anita Somani (D) (Ranking Minority) | Phone: 614-466-5358         
• Representative Tim Barhorst (R) | Phone: 614-466-1507         
• Representative Jamie Callender (R) | Phone: 614-644-6074         
• Representative Susan Manchester (R) | Phone: 614-466-6344         
• Representative Melanie Miller (R) | Phone: 614-466-0961         
• Representative Justin Pizzulli (R) | Phone: 614-466-2124         
• Representative Tom Young (R) | Phone: 614-466-6504         
• Representative Rachel Baker (D) | Phone: 614-644-6886         
• Representative Darnell Brewer (D) | Phone: 614-466-1414         
• Representative Beth Liston (D) | Phone: 614-644-6030         
• Representative Terrence Upchurch (D) | Phone: 614-466-7954