Federal Policy Overview

Legislation*

*legislation that was introduced, but not passed

1989

Medicare Part C Program Act of 1989, January 3, 1989*
This bill proposed creating an optional Medicare Part C program to cover certain dental services, including a dental examination that evaluated for oral cancer or oral pathology. Coverage would be voluntary and funded by enrollee premiums and tobacco excise taxes.

1991

USHealth Program Act of 1991, October 9, 1991*
This bill proposed including dental examinations under a national health program that would cover evaluations for oral cancer or oral pathology. These services were part of a broader package of dental benefits available to individuals under 21, with some services extended to all ages.

1992

102 S. 2615, April 10, 1992*
This bill proposed clarifying that Medicare covers surgical and prosthodontic procedures following oral cancer. It also included coverage for jaw reconstruction in cases involving generalized atrophy or localized weakness of the jaw due to tumor, among other causes. A similar iterations of this bill were introduced in 1989.

2007

Office of Men's Health Act of 2007, January 31, 2007*
This bill proposed the establishment of an Office of Men's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services to address disparities in men's health. It identified oral health as a key issue, noting that African American men have the highest incidence of oral cancer and the lowest survival rates.

2009

Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act of 2009, Introduced May 12, 2009*
This bill aimed to ensure that health insurance plans offer equal coverage for orally administered cancer medications as they do for intravenous treatments. It amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to mandate parity in drug coverage. The act required group and individual plans to cover oral anticancer drugs on terms no less favorable than IV medications, including similar deductibles and coinsurance. It also mandated annual written notice of this coverage to plan participants.

Affordable Health Choices Act, September 17, 2009*
This bill proposed a five-year national public education campaign through the CDC to promote oral healthcare prevention and education, including the prevention of oral diseases such as oral cancer.

2019

VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2019, January 23, 2019*
This bill authorized a clinical trial by the Department of Veterans Affairs to study the effects of medical cannabis on various health outcomes, including head, neck, and oral cancer, as an optional research element.

2021

Toxic Exposure Safety Act of 2021, March 25, 2021*
This bill amended the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act to define “covered illness” as including all forms of cancer. It required a report identifying “a list of cancers and other illnesses associated with toxic substances” at Department of Energy facilities. It also directed the National Academy of Sciences to review and summarize evidence on diseases caused by toxic exposure, including “oropharyngeal diseases.”

Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, June 17, 2021*
This bill amended title 38 of the United States Code to establish a presumption of service connection for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins who later develop specified diseases. Among the conditions listed in Section 1120(b)(2), the bill includes “Head cancer of any type” and “Neck cancer of any type”. Veterans meeting criteria as “covered veterans” under Section 1119(c) are presumed to have developed these diseases in connection with their military service, even without direct evidence during service.

2023

Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2023, February 14, 2023*
This bill directed HRSA to launch a public education campaign focused on oral health care education, including prevention of oral diseases such as oral cancer. The campaign was to target specific populations in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. Similar iteriations of this bill were introduced in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Promoting Resources to Expand Vaccination, Education and New Treatments for HPV Cancers Act of 2023, May 24, 2023*
This bill proposed amending the Public Health Service Act to establish a national public awareness campaign through the CDC focused on increasing HPV vaccination rates, especially among males and underserved populations. It specifically addressed HPV-related oropharynx cancers, which account for 60–70% of cases and are rising in incidence. The campaign would use culturally and linguistically competent materials, engage trusted community figures, and disseminate information through media, schools, and healthcare providers. It also authorized $5 million annually from 2024 to 2028 to fund these efforts and required a report to Congress on campaign outcomes and its impact on HPV-associated cancers. A similar iteriations of this bill was introduced in 2021.

2024

Medicare Medically Necessary Dental Care Act of 2024, May 1, 2024*
This bill sought to expand Medicare Part B to cover dental procedures deemed medically necessary due to serious conditions such as head and neck cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, organ transplants, and heart valve replacements. It emphasized the critical link between oral and systemic health and allowed coverage within one year of diagnosis or related treatment. Though it shared similar goals with earlier versions, the bill ultimately failed to advance through Congress. Similar iteriations of this bill were introduced in 2009, 2011, 2021, and 2023.

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024, July 25, 2024*
This bill proposed a public education campaign through HRSA to improve oral health literacy, including education on oral cancer prevention. It also called for the development of disease screening guidelines for minority populations, including screening for oral cancer. Additionally, it directed NIH and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to support research on prevention and management of oral diseases, including oral cancer, and to fund training for researchers focused on improving oral health. Similar iterations of this bill were introduced in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022.

Current Statutes

2025

42 USCS § 280k, Approved March 14, 2025*
This statute directs the CDC, in consultation with oral health organizations, to launch a five-year national education campaign focused on preventing oral diseases, including oral cancer. The campaign targets high-risk populations—such as children, pregnant women, minorities, and people with disabilities—using culturally and linguistically appropriate messaging. It promotes science-based strategies like community water fluoridation and dental sealants. The law also authorizes grants to support local programs that reduce barriers to dental care and increase public awareness.