In July, a new plan offering discounts to veterans and their families for dental and vision care was unveiled at a press conference in the Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor.  The principals of the for-profit LLC “Similing on America’s Heroes” are David Gonzalez, Karina Intriago Gonzalez and Bill DeProspo, an attorney who also serves as Chairman of the Orange County Republican Party.

The plan offers savings of 5-60% for most dental procedures, and 15-35% for vision care, according to its website.  Rates for a family plan are $8.95 per month, or $85.99 per year.  The program is administered by a Texas company, Careington International.

Reached by phone on Monday, Mr. DeProspo said that the feedback so far has been good.  “Many families have signed up in and around the Hudson Valley.  What’s kind of been really interesting and, I guess is more of a reflection of the internet and global technology age is that we’ve actually gotten a lot of responses from various parts of the country,” DeProspo said.

I asked Mr. DeProspo if he was aiming for a national reach.  “Ultimately, we thought that the initial launch would be in the Hudson Valley, it’s been endorsed by NYSAC, the New York State Association of Counties, so that’s all 62 counties in the state of New York.  And going into 2012, we’re going to have a national launch with a couple of corporate partners that we’ve engaged.”

DeProspo clarified that these would be partners other than Careington.  “Actually, a couple of Fortune 300 companies have partnered with us.  They’re going to help us roll it out on a national basis.”

“We’re looking at around June of 2012, there’s going to be a national meeting of the VSOs, the Veterans Service Officers from around the country.  They haven’t picked a venue but I think they’re thinking of New Jersey, maybe in one of the casinos.”

Apples and Oranges

Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus recently unveiled a plan for Dutchess residents (although anyone in NY can apply) which provides a dental discount plan, also administered through Careington.  Their rates for a family plan are $8.95 monthly or $69 per year.

Mr. DeProspo said he didn’t know about the Dutchess plan, and that he and County Executive Diana hadn’t been in touch with Mr. Steinhaus.

DeProspo asked if the plan had vision benefits, which the Dutchess plan does not.

DeProspo said, “What’s important to note, is this [Smiling on America's Heroes] is a very specific plan and a very specific healthcare plan that’s been devised and put together with veterans and their families in mind.  The reason why we targeted veterans is because there’s an absolute void in caring for veterans when they return and for their families.”

“It’s not just a dental plan.  To compare one dental plan, to another dental plan is one thing.  But if you’re going to compare a dental plan that’s being offered in Dutchess County with–I think it’s through DentaMax, though I could be wrong–and if you compare the Smiling on America’s Heroes health plan which is not only dental, but it’s also vision and dependent family care, it’s like apples and oranges, because there are different components.”

“We want to focus on veterans and their families and their sacrifices.”

 

Full video of the press conference held in July below. Another video of the press conference is on the “Smiling on America’s Heroes” website,” but it ends just before the Question and Answer period.