ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Budget vetoes by Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy eliminated Medicaid dental coverage for adults — a $27 million cut that is having an impact.
KTUU reports that Michael Shelden had plans to get dentures after having all his teeth pulled following years of dental pain.
The plan fell through after the governor’s veto and the station says Shelden can’t afford to pay for the dentures on his own.
The Alaska Dental Society calls the budget cut disappointing, saying the coverage aims to treat problems before they reach costly proportions.
While announcing his budget vetoes in June, Dunleavy said his goal of restoring a full dividend payment to Alaskans from the Alaska Permanent Fund could help them pay for some affected services.
The Associated Press
