Bergman Introduced SMILE for Veterans Act
The legislation aims to improve dental access for rural veterans through a new community-based pilot program.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Military Jobs
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Congressman Jack Bergman has introduced the SMILE for Veterans Act to address critical gaps in oral health care for rural veterans. The legislation creates a pilot program to reimburse local dental providers for services rendered to veterans.
Why it matters
Many rural veterans face severe geographic and financial hurdles that prevent them from accessing basic dental services. This bill seeks to bridge those gaps by connecting veterans with community providers rather than creating a new federal system.
Approximately 15 percent of the nine million veterans enrolled in VA health care currently qualify for VA dental services, leaving many without coverage. In a recent survey, 37 percent of veterans reported having no dental insurance at all.
The players
Jack Bergman
He is a U.S. Representative serving Michigan who introduced the legislation to improve dental access for veterans.
AMVETS
This is a veterans service organization that supports the newly proposed SMILE for Veterans Act.
National Rural Health Association
This organization advocates for improved health care access in rural communities and supports the proposed legislation.
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
This institute funds research projects to identify barriers to dental care and supports the SMILE for Veterans Act.
The details
The program addresses findings that 44 percent of enrolled veterans are ineligible for VA dental care, which is currently restricted to those with service-connected conditions, full disability ratings, or former POW status. Survey data indicates that 75 percent of respondents lost at least two teeth to decay or disease, with affordability identified as the primary barrier.
Timeline
The CareQuest Institute funded 10 projects to study veteran dental access in 2024.
The SMILE for Veterans Act was introduced to the House of Representatives on September 27, 2026.
Market Landscape
This legislation challenges the existing constraints of the VA dental eligibility criteria which currently exclude a vast majority of enrolled veterans. By shifting care to community-based providers, the bill represents a strategic pivot toward privatized health delivery models for rural populations.
Eligible rural veterans may gain access to local dental care providers without needing to travel to distant VA facilities. This shift could significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for veterans who currently lack private dental insurance or VA coverage.
The takeaway
The proposed pilot program highlights the critical need for expanded oral health resources for veterans outside the current federal system. Veterans are encouraged to track the legislative progress of the bill as it moves through the House of Representatives.
Further reading
For additional context on programs supporting service members, see the Military Jobs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Radioresultsnetwork.
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