II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1878 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2011 Mr. Menendez introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To assist low-income individuals in obtaining recommended dental care.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Coordination of Pro Bono Medically Recommended Dental Care Act.

2.

Grants or contracts to facilitate low-income access to dental care

Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 317M (42 U.S.C. 247b–14a) the following new section:

317M–1.

Grants or contracts to facilitate low-income access to dental care

(a)

Grants

The Secretary shall award competitive grants to, or enter into contracts with, eligible entities to fund the employment costs of professionals who will use grant or contract funds to— (1)coordinate the provision of medically recommended dental care to eligible low-income individuals by volunteer dentists in a manner consistent with State licensing laws; and (2)verify the medical, dental, and financial needs of eligible low-income individuals who may be eligible for free dental services. (b)

Eligibility

(1)

Eligible entity

To be eligible to receive a grant or contract under subsection (a), an entity shall— (A)be an entity that is exempt from tax under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; (B)provide for the participation of eligible individuals in a free dental services program on a national basis; and (C)submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2)

Eligible individual

To be eligible to participate in a program described in paragraph (1)(B), an individual shall be— (A)an adult individual entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act; (B)an individual enrolled in part B of title XVIII of such Act; (C)an individual enrolled in a State plan or waiver under title XIX of such Act; or (D)an individual enrolled in a State child health plan under title XXI of such Act or under an approved waiver of such plan. (c)

Use of funds

An entity shall use amounts received under a grant or contract under this section to establish, expand, or operate a program to coordinate the provision of free dental care through volunteer dentists to eligible individuals. (d)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2016.

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