Senator Bernie Sanders’ push to expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing benefits for millions of seniors faced a setback on Tuesday when Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo blocked the bill from moving forward. However, in an unexpected development, Crapo publicly agreed to further discussions on expanding Medicare coverage—an indication that bipartisan negotiations on the issue may still be possible.
Sanders took to the Senate floor to request unanimous consent to pass the Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act, a bill that would extend essential healthcare benefits to over 66 million seniors and people with disabilities. The legislation, which is spearheaded in the House by Representative Lloyd Doggett, was immediately blocked by Crapo.
“In the richest country in the history of the world, it is unacceptable that millions of seniors are unable to read because they can’t afford eyeglasses, can’t have conversations with their grandchildren because they can’t afford hearing aids, and have trouble eating because they can’t afford dentures,” Sanders said.
“That should not be happening in the United States of America in the year 2025,” he continued. “The time is long overdue for Congress to expand Medicare to include comprehensive coverage for the dental, vision, and hearing care that our seniors desperately need.”
The legislation seeks to provide Medicare coverage for:
• Dental care, including cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and dentures.
• Vision care, including eye exams and prescription eyeglasses.
• Hearing care, including hearing aids and audiology services.
More than 26 million Medicare beneficiaries currently have no dental coverage, forcing them to pay out-of-pocket or go without necessary care. As a result, nearly one in five seniors over age 75 have lost all of their natural teeth. Additionally, more than a third of Medicare recipients have difficulty seeing, while over 40 percent suffer from hearing impairments.
Expanding Medicare to include these services is overwhelmingly popular with voters. A Data for Progress poll found that 92 percent of Americans support Medicare coverage for dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
Sanders has long championed expanding Medicare as part of a broader fight for universal healthcare. On the Senate floor, he criticized the government’s misplaced priorities, arguing that seniors should not have to struggle for basic healthcare while billionaires benefit from tax breaks.
“Yeah, we have more nuclear weapons than any other country, we have more billionaires than any other country, but we also have one of the highest rates of senior poverty of any country on Earth. We might want to get our priorities right,” Sanders said.
He also addressed Republican efforts to cut government healthcare programs, warning that President Donald Trump, billionaire Elon Musk, and congressional Republicans are prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy over the well-being of seniors.
“While my Republican colleagues would like to make massive cuts to Medicaid in order to provide more tax breaks to billionaires, some of us have a better idea,” he said. “We think that it makes more sense to substantially improve the lives of our nation’s seniors by expanding Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing benefits.”
To fund the expansion, Sanders proposed reforms to Medicare’s payment system. The plan includes ensuring that Medicare pays no more for prescription drugs than the Department of Veterans Affairs, which negotiates lower prices, and addressing the tens of billions of dollars that privately administered Medicare Advantage plans overcharge the federal government annually.
Crapo, a staunch opponent of expanding government healthcare programs, quickly blocked Sanders’ request for unanimous consent. However, in a surprising turn, Crapo agreed to work with Sanders to explore solutions for Medicare coverage.
While Republicans have historically resisted Medicare expansion, Crapo’s comments suggest that some members of his party recognize the urgent need for dental, vision, and hearing coverage. Despite this, GOP leaders continue to push for significant cuts to Medicaid and privatization of Medicare.
Healthcare advocates warn that while Sanders fights for Medicare expansion, congressional Republicans are preparing legislation to slash $880 billion from Medicaid—a move that would disproportionately affect low-income seniors.
At the same time, Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), raising concerns about future attacks on government healthcare programs. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, released a research brief on Tuesday detailing how Medicare Advantage companies have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on lobbying in an effort to influence Medicare policies.
“If Oz is confirmed as the CMS administrator, attacks on traditional Medicare are likely to move into overdrive,” warned Public Citizen healthcare advocate Eagan Kemp.
Kemp also praised Sanders and Doggett for prioritizing Medicare expansion.
“At the same time Trump and his cronies in Congress try to rip healthcare away from millions and push for further privatization of Medicare, Sen. Sanders and Rep. Doggett are showing what one of our top priorities in healthcare should be—improving traditional Medicare,” Kemp said.
“The introduction of this legislation is an important step to ensure Medicare enrollees can access the care they need, and we hope that Congress will act quickly to pass these commonsense reforms. Healthcare is a human right.”
Healthcare experts warn that failing to expand Medicare could have severe consequences for seniors:
• Untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
• Poor dental health can lead to serious infections, worsening chronic diseases, and even heart disease.
• Lack of vision care increases the risk of falls, which can lead to life-threatening injuries and costly hospitalizations.
Economically, many seniors on fixed incomes cannot afford the high out-of-pocket costs of dental, hearing, and vision care. Expanding Medicare would reduce their financial burden and improve overall public health.
The Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act has gained strong Democratic support. In addition to Sanders and Doggett, the bill is backed by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Ed Markey, Tammy Duckworth, Jeff Merkley, and Richard Blumenthal. A total of 115 House Democrats have co-sponsored the legislation.
However, with Republican leaders pushing for spending cuts, the bill faces a tough legislative battle.
Doggett emphasized the urgency of passing the legislation, saying:
“This expanded care could help prevent cognitive impairment and dementia, worsened chronic disease, and imbalance leading to falls with deadly consequences. This is an essential step to fulfilling the original promise of Medicare—to assure dignity and health for all.”
What comes next?
• Potential bipartisan negotiations: Crapo’s willingness to discuss Medicare expansion could signal a narrow path forward for compromise.
• Public pressure and advocacy efforts: Healthcare advocacy groups are mobilizing voters to push Congress to act.
• Impact on the 2025 election: Medicare expansion is likely to become a major campaign issue, with Democrats arguing that GOP opposition to healthcare expansion prioritizes corporate profits over seniors’ well-being.
With overwhelming public support for expanding Medicare, Republican lawmakers who continue to block the legislation may face increased political pressure.
To join Sen. Sanders in the fight Health Care as a Human Right—Medicare For All, click here.
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