AK SJR16

Alaska Legislature urges Congress to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act, which would require private health insurance plans to cover all medically necessary treatment for congenital anomalies (including cleft lip, cleft palate, and other birth defects) without lifetime or annual limits

Coverage would include surgery, therapy, dental care, and associated medical services that some insurers currently deny by classifying them as dental rather than medical care

Resolution highlights Emily Brubaker, an Anchorage student with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia whose dental treatment will cost her family over $100,000; she has advocated for the bill in Washington, D.C. since age six

The federal act was last introduced in the 117th Congress as H.R.1916 and S.754 and may be reintroduced in the 119th Congress by Senators Joni Ernst and Tammy Baldwin

Copies of the resolution will be sent to President Trump, Vice President Vance, congressional leadership, and the Alaska congressional delegation (Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, Representative Begich)