PROPOSAL TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENT DENTAL CARE MOVES FORWARD
04/05/2017
SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen. Omar Aquino, a Chicago Democrat, proposed legislation to dedicate more funding for preventative dental care for adults that qualify for Medicaid. The measure was approved Wednesday by a Senate committee.
“Without preventative dental care for all Medicaid-eligible adults, easily fixed problems escalate and become costly and time-intensive,” Aquino said. “Providing Medicaid recipients with dental care is the right thing to do, and it will keep costs down in the long run, as people will no longer have to wait for emergency care."
If approved by the full Senate, Aquino’s legislation would change the law to reimburse Medicaid-eligible adults at the same rate as minors for preventative dental care. Currently, only people between 18 and 21 and pregnant women are the only adults eligible for preventative care. Other Medicaid recipients are only eligible for emergency care.
Senate Bill 622 was approved by the Health and Human Services Committee of the Illinois Senate. It moves to the full Senate for approval.
“Without preventative dental care for all Medicaid-eligible adults, easily fixed problems escalate and become costly and time-intensive,” Aquino said. “Providing Medicaid recipients with dental care is the right thing to do, and it will keep costs down in the long run, as people will no longer have to wait for emergency care."
If approved by the full Senate, Aquino’s legislation would change the law to reimburse Medicaid-eligible adults at the same rate as minors for preventative dental care. Currently, only people between 18 and 21 and pregnant women are the only adults eligible for preventative care. Other Medicaid recipients are only eligible for emergency care.
Senate Bill 622 was approved by the Health and Human Services Committee of the Illinois Senate. It moves to the full Senate for approval.
