Report Title:

Dental Health; QUEST/Medicaid; Pregnant Women

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of human services to expand their QUEST/medicaid programs to provide periodontal care to pregnant women.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

242

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation to the department of human services.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that basic dental care is an essential health service. Inadequate oral health may result in heart problems, systemic infections, low birth weight, and poor outcomes for pregnant women. Periodontitis is a bacterial gum infection that can lead to the destruction of bone and fibers that support the teeth and may result in tooth loss. More importantly, periodontitis is a cause for concern among pregnant women because such infections produce byproducts and chemicals that reach the uterus and may cause premature births at a rate seven times greater than in women who do not have periodontitis. Premature birth can lead to serious consequences, is the leading cause of neonatal death, and can cause lifelong health problems such as mental retardation, blindness, chronic lung disease, and cerebral palsy.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of human services to expand the QUEST and medicaid programs by providing periodontal care to pregnant women enrolled in those programs.

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 2005-2006, for the department of human services to provide periodontal care to pregnant women enrolled in QUEST and medicaid.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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