[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        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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