H.R. 3277 · 119th Congress

Requires health plans to cover birth defect care for the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth or jaw

Official title: Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act1

Never got a floor vote

§1What it does

Why this matters: A plain-English description of the bill as it was voted on, written by us from the official summary and text.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

The bill would require private health plans, including employer plans and individual insurance, to cover outpatient and inpatient care to diagnose and treat congenital anomalies or birth defects that mainly affect the appearance or function of the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth or jaw.2,3,4 Covered care would include medically necessary reconstructive procedures and related dental, orthodontic and prosthodontic care, with cost-sharing no stricter than what the plan generally charges for other medical and surgical care.4 Cosmetic surgery to reshape normal body parts, unrelated to such a condition, would not be required, and plans would have to tell members about the coverage.4

§2Status

StatusLatest action, May 8, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.1
IntroducedMay 8, 2025
SponsorRep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]
Cosponsors214 cosponsors (143 Democratic, 70 Republican, 1 independent)
Official recordH.R. 3277 on Congress.gov

§3It never got a vote

Why this matters: This bill had wide support from both parties, but it never reached the House or Senate floor, so no member of Congress was ever recorded voting for or against it.

Latest action, May 8, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.1 How bills die without a vote.

2026 candidates who sponsored or cosponsored it (185)