Bill Summary for Bill Number SB09-009

Date: 02/05/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-009

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Lay over Senate Bill 09-009 until May 7, 2009. Th	PASS

02:12 PM -- Senate Bill 09-009

Senator Boyd introduced Senate Bill 09-009. The bill adds adult dental services to the optional services provided under the Medicaid program, and as a benefit available to pregnant women in the Children's Basic Health Plan. A handout regarding the program was distributed to the committee (Attachment B). Senator Boyd noted that due to the fiscal condition of the state, the bill would likely not go forward, but that it was still important to discuss the need for appropriate oral health care.

02:14 PM -- Karen Cody Carlson, Dental Aid and Oral Health Awareness Colorado!, testified that there is a close connection between oral health and systemic health. She said that promotion of oral health can improve health outcomes for individuals with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, and may improve pregnancy outcomes. She discussed the limitation of dental services in the Medicaid program currently.

02:17 PM -- Dr. Mark Deutchman, University of Colorado School of Medicine and School of Dentistry, testified regarding the importance of the link between oral health and systemic health care. He discussed the relationship between oral health care and the treatment of diabetes. He testified there is a link between the oral health of parents and children. Senator Schultheis commented on the cost of including dental benefits in the Medicaid program.

02:23 PM -- Dr. John McFarland, Salud Family Health Centers and Colorado Community Health Network, testified regarding the number of people who receive dental services through community health centers. He testified regarding the importance of preventative dental care, and noted that fluoridating water has saved billions of dollars in dental costs. He discussed the effects of dental care on the treatment of individuals of diabetes. He stated that providing oral health benefits for a pregnant woman is important because providing care at that point can assist in preventing oral decay in the child.

02:32 PM -- Dr. Bruce Madison, Colorado Medical Society and Health Advocates Alliance, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the relationship between oral health and systemic health. He discussed studies that have found that oral health is an important part of general health. He stated that poor oral health can have negative social effects. He stated that early treatment of oral disease reduces costs.

02:36 PM -- Dr. Sandeep Wadhwa, Chief Medical Officer, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, stated that there is a false dichotomy between oral health and physical health. He stated the department understands the financial reality of the state, and this is probably not the time for the bill, but that not having an oral health benefit in the Medicaid is a big hole in the program's offerings.

02:39 PM -- Sheryle Hutter, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified that disabled individuals are often on medications that damage teeth, and urged the committee to ensure that disabled adults will be considered for a dental benefit in Medicaid in the future.

02:40 PM

Debra Kolp, Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans, Charlie Hebeler, Colorado Dental Association, Dr. Kelly Dawson, Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, and Lawrence Krause, representing himself, voiced their support for the bill.


BILL:	SB09-009
TIME:	02:41:39 PM
MOVED:	Boyd
MOTION:	Lay over Senate Bill 09-009 until May 7, 2009. The effect of the motion is to postpone indefinitely Senate Bill 09-009. The motion passed on a 6-2 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Carroll M.	Yes
	Lundberg	Yes
	Mitchell	Yes
	Morse	No
	Newell	Yes
	Schultheis	Yes
	Tochtrop	No
	Boyd	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS