HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

843

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO DENTAL HEALTH.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that poor oral health is linked with respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.  Dental diseases also contribute to cardiac issues and premature births.  Furthermore, unaddressed dental needs affect the ability of individuals to obtain and keep employment.  The legislature finds that among the medicaid programs that need to be fully funded are dental benefits for adults.  It is in the best interests of the State to ensure access to dental health care for its residents as oral health is an essential part of general health and well-being.

     The purpose of this Act is to improve access to dental health care in the State by restoring basic adult dental benefits to medicaid enrollees.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to restore basic adult dental benefits to medicaid enrollees.  The department of human services shall obtain the maximum federal matching funds available for this expenditure.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Dental Health; Medicaid; Adult Dental Benefits; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to restore basic adult dental benefits to Medicaid enrollees.  Requires the Department of Human Services to obtain the maximum federal matching funds available for the expenditure.

 

 

 

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