PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016

Became Public Law No: 114-218.

Official summary

Version 49 · Public Law · Jul 29, 2016

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and administer a dental insurance plan for veterans enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment under federal veterans' benefits provisions and for veterans' survivors and dependents who are eligible for medical care under such provisions. The VA shall contract with a dental insurer to administer the plan. Benefits shall include diagnostic services, preventative services, endodontics and other restorative services, surgical services, and emergency services.

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

Enrollment shall be voluntary. The VA shall: (1) prescribe the minimum enrollment period, and (2) prescribe and annually adjust the premiums necessary to cover costs associated with carrying out the plan. Each individual covered by the plan shall pay the entire premium and the full cost of any copayments.

The VA shall permit voluntary disenrollment within 30 days after initial enrollment and under other specified circumstances the VA shall prescribe to the extent that such disenrollment does not jeopardize the fiscal integrity of the plan.

This bill's provisions terminate on December 31, 2021.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC] · R–NC

Committees

  • Veterans' Affairs Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Became Public Law No: 114-218.

  2. Became Public Law No: 114-218.

  3. Signed by President.

  4. Signed by President.

  5. Presented to President.

  6. Presented to President.

  7. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H4974)

  9. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H4974)

  10. Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H4974)

  11. Mr. Wenstrup asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.

  12. Held at the desk.

  13. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  14. Received in the House.

  15. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5036)

  16. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S5036)

  17. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5035-5036)

  18. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5035-5036)

  19. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-707.

  20. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  21. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.3055 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.3055 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.3055 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.3055 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources