Children Dental Health Improvement Act

CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 22, 2004)

SPEECH OF HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON OF IDAHO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2004

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that would improve access to dental coverage for our Nation's most precious commodity, children. As a former practicing dentist in my home state of Idaho, I have long been concerned about access to dental coverage for our most vulnerable citizens. While most Americans have access to the best oral health care in the world, low-income children suffer disproportionately from oral disease. Even as our Nation's health has progressed, dental caries or tooth decay remains the most prevalent chronic childhood disease.

Millions of Americans, adults and children, lack access to dental care. In many parts of Idaho, as in many rural States, there simply aren't enough dentists within reasonable distance of some communities.

For people who don't have access to dental care, oral disease is almost 100 percent inevitable-albeit 100 percent preventable. This is particularly heartbreaking when it affects children. Recent demonstration projects have shown that with some Federal support, a little funding can go a long way toward ensuring that low-income children have access to good oral health care. My legislation, H.R. 4622, cosponsored by Congressman JOHN DINGELL, would assist States in doing just that.

H.R. 4622 would not issue Federal mandates, but rather would provide support to States as they determine how best to improve access to dental care in their communities. I believe that States are the best arbiters of how to enhance access to care for their residents, with the understanding that for any such effort to succeed, it must begin by reimbursing dentists who participate in Medicaid and SCHIP at market rates.

H.R. 4622 would: Provide financial incentives and planning grants to help States improve their Medicaid programs. States must first create a comprehensive plan for improving the delivery of dental services, and they must also adequately reimburse dentists for children's dental services; Offer grants to expand the availability of dental services in health professional shortage areas. Grants would be made available to dentists who practice in federally designated dental shortage areas if at least 25 percent of their patient-base receives assistance under Medicaid or SCHIP. Grants would also be available to qualifying community health centers, State public health departments, Indian tribes/tribal organizations and accredited dental education programs; Ensure that States provide some level of dental benefits through SCHIP; Offer States the option to use their SCHIP funding to provide dental coverage to children in families who have medical but not dental coverage and meet SCHIP income-eligibility requirements; Expand School-Linked Dental Sealant Programs to include eligible school-linked public or non-profit organizations and Indian tribes that are under contract with an elementary or secondary school to provide dental services to school-aged children.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is but a small step forward toward the goal of ensuring that every child in America has good oral health, but it is a necessary first step. I ask all my colleagues to join with me in supporting H.R. 4622.

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