Strengthening Cooperation and Security in the Middle East Act

House Bill

H.R. 1385

119th Congress

Strengthening Cooperation and Security in the Middle East Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jun 2, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Earl L. Carter

Representative

Republican

GA-1

Cosponsors

88

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

The Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2023 aims to give doctors of optometry, dental surgery, and dental medicine more control over their payment rates and choice of laboratories or suppliers when working with private health insurance plans. It also limits how long an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited dental or vision benefits can last without the doctor's consent.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

SponsorEarl L. Carter (R-GA)

Introduced6/2/2025

StatusReferred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Strengthening Cooperation and Security in the Middle East Act

The Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2023 aims to give doctors of optometry, dental surgery, and dental medicine more control over their payment rates and choice of laboratories or suppliers when working with private health insurance plans. It also li

Community Breakdown

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The Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2023 aims to give doctors of optometry, dental surgery, and dental medicine more control over their payment rates and choice of laboratories or suppliers when working with private health insurance plans. It also limits how long an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited dental or vision benefits can last without the doctor's consent.

Bill Number: 1385
Sponsor: Earl L. Carter (R-GA)
Introduced: 6/2/2025
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Policy Area: Health

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Strengthening Cooperation and Security in the Middle East Act
Bill Number: 1385
Sponsor: Earl L. Carter (R-GA)
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Introduced: 6/2/2025
Summary: The Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2023 aims to give doctors of optometry, dental surgery, and dental medicine more control over their payment rates and choice of laboratories or suppliers when working with private health insurance plans. It also limits how long an agreement between a pla

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2023 aims to give doctors of optometry, dental surgery, and dental medicine more control over their payment rates and choice of laboratories or suppliers when working with private health insurance plans. It also limits how long an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited dental or vision benefits can last without the doctor's consent.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2023 or the DOC Access Act of 2023 This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from setting rates for items and services, except for dental cleanings, provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan does not pay a substantial amount. Additionally, an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited scope dental or vision benefits may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension. Plans also may not restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers. Such doctors may elect to waive the application of the payment amount and choice of laboratories provisions of this bill. The bill does not supersede state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Prohibits private health insurance plans from setting rates for certain services provided by eye doctors and dentists if the plan doesn't pay a substantial amount for those services
Requires plans to get a doctor's prior acceptance for any term extension longer than two years for limited dental or vision benefits agreements
Prevents plans from restricting a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would primarily affect eye doctors, dentists, and people with private health insurance plans that include dental or vision coverage. If passed, it would give health care providers more control over their payment rates and choice of suppliers, potentially leading to changes in the costs and availability of certain dental and vision services for insured patients.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Civil actions and liability

Dental care

Employee benefits and pensions

Health care costs and insurance

Health care coverage and access

Hearing, speech, and vision care

State and local government operations

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1385, 119th Congress (2025). "Strengthening Cooperation and Security in the Middle East Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1385