Peter,

My husband, Dr. Albert Coombs III, DMD, is a dentist who has served Medicaid patients in Washington, D.C. for over 13 years. Together, we’ve seen how oral health can transform a person’s life.

Sometimes, it’s not about complex surgery or life-threatening conditions. Sometimes, it’s something as simple — and as profound — as restoring a front tooth.

My husband shared a story about a patient and community member:

One of my patients came in quietly one afternoon. He’d been missing a front tooth for years. His dental health was stable overall, but his confidence had eroded over time. Thanks to DC Medicaid, we were able to place a dental implant. 

The procedure itself was straightforward. But what happened afterward was remarkable. That implant did more than fill a gap in his teeth — it gave him permission to show up in the world differently. He was more confident, more social, more at ease. 

That’s the power of Medicaid coverage. It’s not just about oral health — it’s about dignity, confidence, and being seen.

Stories like his remind me why I continue to accept Medicaid, even when the financial and administrative challenges make it hard. Only one in three dentists in the United States accepts Medicaid. Many avoid it because of low reimbursement rates and mounting paperwork. But I stay because I’ve seen how this program changes lives.

In Washington, D.C., more than 40 percent of residents rely on Medicaid. That includes the essential workers who keep this city running—people like my husband’s patients.

Proposed cuts to the Medicaid program, including over $700 billion in federal funding, threaten to eliminate “optional” benefits like dental and vision.

Yet, this story proves there’s nothing optional about being able to smile without shame.

We need to protect — and expand — Medicaid dental coverage because behind every smile is a story. And behind every story is a person who deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for.

Thank you for reading this important story about my husband’s patients, and stay tuned to hear more about how you can take action and tell the Senate that Medicaid Matters!

In solidarity,

— Sarah

Sarah Coombs (she,her,hers)
Director for Health System Transformation
National Partnership for Women & Families
info@nationalpartnership.org
NationalPartnership.org | @NPWF

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