Veterans and Survivors Dental Insurance Act of 2008 Introduced Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), introduced H.R. 6277, the Veterans and Survivors Dental Insurance Act of 2008. Buyer, who is Ranking Republican on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs made the following statement: “Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Veterans and Survivors Dental Insurance Act of 2008.  This legislation would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer a voluntary dental insurance plan for certain veterans, their survivors and dependents. In 1997, Congress first authorized the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP).  As Chairman of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee during the 105th and 106th Congresses, I helped champion the TRDP program.  It is a voluntary, all-enrollee-paid dental program that currently covers over 800,000 retired members of the uniformed services, including National Guard and Reserve personnel, and their families.  This program offers military retirees an affordable comprehensive dental benefit program that covers diagnostic and preventive services, basic restorative services, periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, and dental emergencies. Madam Speaker, this legislation would simply provide eligible veterans, survivors, and dependents the option of enrolling in a high-quality and affordable dental care plan similar to what is available for military retirees under TRDP.  I assure my colleagues that nothing in this Act would diminish the responsibility of the Secretary to provide dental care under current law. Eligibility for VA dental benefits according to law would not change. Good dental health is important to overall health and quality of life.  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Veterans and Survivors Dental Insurance Act of 2008.” Contact a local dentist to learn more about how to maintain your oral heath!