Overview

Title

To reauthorize programs relating to oral health promotion and disease prevention.

ELI5 AI

S. 3597 is a bill that wants to keep helping people take care of their teeth by making sure money is available for dental health programs for the next few years.

Summary AI

S. 3597 is a bill that seeks to continue support for programs that promote oral health and prevent dental diseases in the United States. Introduced by Senator Durbin and Senator Marshall, the bill aims to extend the funding for these programs under the Public Health Service Act through the years 2024 to 2028. It updates the previous timeframes to ensure these initiatives can continue helping people improve their dental health.

Published

2024-01-17
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2024-01-17
Package ID: BILLS-118s3597is

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
207
Pages:
2
Sentences:
6

Language

Nouns: 58
Verbs: 16
Adjectives: 3
Adverbs: 1
Numbers: 19
Entities: 21

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.94
Average Sentence Length:
34.50
Token Entropy:
4.37
Readability (ARI):
17.30

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled the “Promoting Dental Health Act,” seeks to reauthorize U.S. government programs aimed at promoting oral health and preventing oral diseases. It specifically amends Section 317M of the Public Health Service Act by updating the effective periods for the programs. The revised timelines extend previous program periods to 2024-2028, ensuring continued support for these initiatives over the next several years.

Significant Issues

One notable issue is the brevity and lack of detail in the bill's short title section. The section gives the legislation a name but does not provide substantive content or details about what the programs entail. This can make it challenging for stakeholders to assess where the funding might be directed or identify potential areas of favoritism or wasteful spending.

Furthermore, the bill updates dates without additional context or evaluation of the existing programs. It amends the funding periods but does not discuss the past effectiveness or specific future goals of these oral health programs. This absence of detail may concern stakeholders who wish to understand how these programs will be maintained or adjusted over the forthcoming years.

Impact on the Public

Broadly speaking, reauthorizing and extending these programs could significantly benefit public health, particularly in oral care. With updated funding and a continued focus, programs targeting oral health promotion and disease prevention can help reduce chronic oral health issues, promote early identification of dental problems, and foster a general awareness of dental hygiene. For many, especially those with limited access to dental care, these programs may provide essential preventive services and education.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Stakeholders specifically involved in public health, dental care services, and policy advocacy might view the bill both positively and negatively. On one hand, the reauthorization signals a commitment to oral health initiatives, which may provide funding and support to organizations working in this field. On the other hand, the lack of detailed evaluation or articulation of specific program goals may frustrate those who seek transparent operations and outcomes. These stakeholders might advocate for more comprehensive assessments and reporting requirements to ensure accountability and effectiveness, to ensure resources are appropriately utilized for maximum public benefit.

Issues

  • The 'Short title' section is too brief and lacks substantive content, making it challenging to audit for potential spending or favoritism issues. No details are provided about the provisions of the Act, which prevents evaluation of potential wasteful spending or biases. This could lead to a lack of transparency regarding the allocation and use of funds under the reauthorized programs.

  • In Section 2 'Reauthorization of programs', the amendments simply update the dates for program funding without any additional details or evaluation of the programs' past effectiveness or future goals. This might be significant to stakeholders interested in understanding how the programs will be improved or modified to better promote oral health in 2024 through 2028.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of the bill states that the name of this legislation is the "Promoting Dental Health Act."

2. Reauthorization of programs Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section updates the dates in the Public Health Service Act to extend certain programs, changing from 2010-2014 to 2024-2028 in one subsection, and from 2001-2005 to 2024-2028 in another.