Date: 04/30/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB13-242

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 13-242 to the Committee on ApproPASS



03:46 PM -- Senate Bill 13-242

Representative Primavera, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 13-242 concerning dental services for adults in the Medicaid program. This bill adds dental services for adults to the list of optional services provided in Medicaid. It requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to convene a group of stakeholders to design the dental benefit and implement services by April 1, 2014. The bill creates the Adult Dental Fund and allows the fund to retain interest earnings and unexpended moneys at the end of each fiscal year. The transfer of funds from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund to the Adult Dental Fund is authorized to pay the costs of the bill.

Colorado currently provides a dental benefit to children 21 years of age and younger in the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program. For most adults, reimbursement is provided for emergency dental services only. Clients with certain concurrent medical conditions are also allowed access to dental services for conditions related to oral cavities, but not preventative or restorative services. A number of national and state studies show that untreated dental conditions have led to increased use of hospital emergency departments, resulting in more costly care. A 2012 report from the Pew Center on the States found that preventable dental conditions were the primary diagnosis in 830,590 visits to emergency departments nationwide in 2009. For FY 2013-14, HCPF anticipates emergency dental services costs will be $12.7 million.
03:52 PM

Kerry White, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions from the committee regarding the fiscal analysis of the bill.

03:58 PM -- Christina Johnson, representing the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition (CCDC), testified in support of the bill. She stated that many members of the developmental disability community have difficulty finding dental care.

04:00 PM -- Gretchen Hammer, representing the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved (CCMU), testified in support of the bill. She commented on the impact of poor oral health on employment and societal interactions. Ms. Hammer responded to questions regarding Colorado's essential health benefits package.

04:04 PM -- Dr. Sarah Hermida, representing the Colorado Association of Family Medical Residencies, testified in support of the bill. She described the limited dental care options provided by emergency room doctors.

04:06 PM -- Karen Foster, representing the Colorado Dental Association, testified in support of the bill. She provided statistics on the oral care and lower-income citizens.

04:10 PM -- Dr. Larry Kieft, representing CCMU, the Colorado Medical Society, and the Colorado Association of Family Physicians, testified in support of the bill. He discussed how oral health affects pregnancy and child development.

04:16 PM -- Dr. Michael Okuji, representing Delta Dental, testified in support of the bill. He cited statistics regarding the correlation between diabetes and preventative oral care.

04:19 PM -- MaryKathryn Hurd, representing HCPF, testified in support of the bill. She stated that the bill is a priority for the department and the current executive administration. Ms. Hurd noted that five of the seven existing Medicaid waivers do not cover dental services.

04:22 PM -- Haven Rohnert, representing CCDC, testified in support of the bill.

04:24 PM

Representative Primavera concluded her presentation on Senate Bill 13-242.
BILL:SB13-242
TIME: 04:25:07 PM
MOVED:Primavera
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 13-242 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 7-6.
SECONDED:Tyler
VOTE
Conti
No
Everett
No
Joshi
No
Landgraf
No
May
Yes
McCann
Yes
Schafer
Yes
Singer
Yes
Stephens
No
Tyler
Yes
Wilson
No
Young
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS