A cabinet decision added children's dental care to the national health care package Monday.
While most common health concerns are addressed through Israel's four health care providers, many Israelis seek private treatment for their teeth. But now, Israeli children will receive dental care through the same providers that take care of their other health needs.
Members of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's cabinet decided quickly in a telephone vote, with 19 ministers in favor, 4 opposed, and 3 abstaining.
Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed the decision to allocate a budget for children's dental care, particularly among the needier portions of society.
Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) embraced the decision and thanked the ministers who supported his initiative, stating, "Today is a big and important step in correcting a historical injustice that dental care for children would only be allowed to those with resources."
Critics were quick to point out that the added dental coverage would come at the expense of other medicinal treatments that would now have to be removed from the national health care package.