HOUSE TO ACT ON CHILDREN'S ORAL HEALTH BILL
YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED TODAY!
March 23, 2010 |
The 400-member House will vote tomorrow on HB 1537, allowing primary care providers to provide preventive oral health services to children between 0 and 3 years of age under the state Medicaid program. NHDHA was a member of the 2009 study committee that developed this bill, and we strongly support the Oral Health Coalition and Rep. Rich DiPentima in their efforts to enact a law that will help prevent dental disease in our youngest citizens.
The House adopted HB 1537 on a voice vote earlier this year after the Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee recommended its passage, 18 to 0. Now the House Finance Committee is sending HB 1537 to the floor with a split report:
MAJORITY: OUGHT TO PASS.
Rep. Sandra C Harris for the Majority of Finance: This bill is legislation that was recommended by a study commission established by HB 414, Chapter 130, Laws of 2009. The commission was charged to study preventing dental disease in children. This bill directs reimbursement to appropriately trained primary care doctors/pediatricians who do oral screenings and preventative services on Medicaid eligible children age 0-3 years old. Health, human services and elderly affairs reported no opposition to the bill, and the committee vote was 18-0. This bill increases the network of providers to include dentists and primary care/pediatricians. Studies show that children at this age have much more contact with primary care/pediatricians than dentists. This change should greatly lessen the high costs of emergency room visits and surgeries for these children. The majority of Finance also feels that this is a very appropriate way to redirect dollars to which these children are already entitled. The majority saw that this bill does not increase the services to which these children are entitled but does increase the number of providers that can alleviate their pain and suffering. Vote 14-8.
MINORITY: REFER FOR INTERIM STUDY.
Rep. Neal M Kurk for the Minority of Finance: The minority believes that the state cannot afford to expand services at this time. The minority notes that in the current biennium, the state faces a very significant deficit that caused the governor to recently request proposals from his department heads for $140 million in general fund reductions. Next biennium, the deficit will be even greater, and that's when this bill becomes effective. It is inappropriate to attempt to bind a future legislature, and it is unfair to do so when the scope of the commitment is unclear. The revised fiscal note on this bill and the financial analysis provided by the prime sponsor differed in important respects, especially in the net cost or saving. A new Medicaid initiative whose cost or saving cannot be determined is imprudent at this time and requires further study.
Please contact your local representatives today and ask them to vote YES on the majority committee report of Ought to Pass and NO on Interim Study.
Thank you!
Susanne Kuehl, President
New Hampshire Dental Hygienists' Association |
