Vote Yes on Question 2

On next Election Day, Massachusetts will vote on whether to pass Question 2. This ballot measure, if approved, will impose stricter regulations on dental insurers so that more money from premiums would be spent on patient care. This is an opportunity to improve dental coverage in the state by voting yes on Question 2.

Because of the burden of costs, the most overlooked type of care is oral health. According to the American Dental Association, 45% of all dental healthcare spending in America comes from out-of-pocket expenses. For health care globally this figure is reduced to a while that 14%. In our state, a quarter of residents do not have any dental insurance plan, and another 16% have not received the appropriate dental care because they could not afford it.

The proposed law seeks to establish a medical loss ratio for dental insurers—the portion of revenue from premiums that is spent on actual patient care vs. administrative costs. The law expects to require that a minimum share of 83% of premium dollars be spent on patient care. That could work as an incentive to expand the number of procedures they cover or reduce out-of-pocket expenses if their medical loss ratio is below that threshold. Otherwise, they would need to reimburse their clients.

This ballot measure is only a start. If it passes this could make visiting the dentist a little less daunting and more accessible.

Vote yes on question 2!