If Question 2 on the ballot passes Tuesday, Massachusetts will require dental insurance companies to spend at least 83 percent of premiums on patient care rather than administrative expenses, including salaries.
A “yes” vote on Question 2 supports expanding consumer protection laws already in place for medical insurance companies to dental insurance companies. A “no” vote is a vote to make no change to state law regulating dental insurance companies.
Dentists and dental insurance providers appear split on the question. Dentists in favor argue the measure will hold insurers accountable if passed. Insurers in opposition argue a “yes” on Question 2 will trigger cost increases that could cause thousands to lose dental coverage.
Lynn dentist Dr. Peter Meaney — who is running for City Council in Ward One — said dentists could administer more services if the state mandates insurers direct more money toward patient care.
“The dental insurance companies are the last bastion of pure capitalism,” Meaney said. “Delta Dental has had record profits year after year after year. The point of dental care is to care for patients, not to enrich stockholders.”
Delta Dental of Massachusetts, the state’s branch of the national insurance company, referred all questions to Doug Rubin, a spokesperson for the statewide “No on 2” campaign.
“Question 2 will increase costs for Massachusetts families and employers,” Rubin said in a statement. “With consumer prices soaring to all-time highs, the Commonwealth doesn’t need this added regulation that will only increase costs and decrease choice for patients across the state.”
Several Question 2 opponents, such as Rubin, warn that premiums could rise by 38 percent if the measure passes and that thousands of Massachusetts residents could lose their dental coverage as a result.
Notably, the 38 percent projection Question 2 opponents cite is from a study commissioned by the National Association of Dental Plans, a trade association for dental insurers.
In response to opponents’ claims that a “yes” on Question 2 will raise premiums, Meaney said while some might need to pay more for their coverage if the measure passes, overall more dentistry will get done in Massachusetts.
“When was the last time any kind of insurance went down in price?” Meaney said. “The prices are going to go up anyway. [Question 2] is just to make sure the money is going to patient care and not into the pockets of executives.”
Gov. Charlie Baker, who is not seeking reelection, told Boston’s National Public Radio station in an interview last month that he plans to vote “no” on Question 2. Other prominent opponents of the measure include corporations Metropolitan Life Insurance, Principal Life Insurance, and Sun Life Financial.
Prominent Question 2 advocates are the American Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Society. Several unions representing dentists across the state also support Question 2. They include the Alliance of Independent Dentists Massachusetts, the Association of Independent Dentists, and the Massachusetts Association of Orthodontists.
Voters will determine Question 2’s fate in the general election next Tuesday, Nov. 8. Massachusetts voters can check their registration status and assigned polling location on the Secretary of State’s website.
