Updated: HB 2249 - Restoring Adult Dental Benefits

RELATING TO MEDICAID BENEFITS. Makes an appropriation to restore certain adult dental benefits to medicaid enrollees.  Requires maximization of federal matching funds. Update: 2/7/2020 H The committees on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) San Buenaventura, Nakamura, B. Kobayashi, Mizuno, Say, Tokioka, Ward; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti. 2/7/2020 H The committees on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Mizuno, B. Kobayashi, Nakamura, San Buenaventura, Say, Tokioka, Ward; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti. Explanation:   Our teeth tell us years ahead of time, what health issues we will have in the future.  Before we develop diabetes, we develop cavities.  Before we develop any health problem,  our teeth will indicate such with a toothache or problem of sorts.   Currently,  dental coverage to fix teeth,  is not happening.   However,  state and federal agencies would like to cut healthcare costs. We recognize that health care costs would be significantly lower if we addressed dental needs before they became medical needs. A sample testimony will be included below the picture,  along with the link to testify. I support this initiative for many reasons including: 1. Long term reduction in costs of overall health care 2. Lack of dental health also causes lack of mental health, struggles with maintaining sustainable employment,  as well as becoming a long term issue in many other areas of health, thus costing taxpayers tremendously over a longer period of time. 3.  Addressing dental health intercepts all of these other issues, while providing more jobs and costing far less, overall.  It aids in employment, lowers dependency upon social welfare and stabilizes a larger portion of our constituency, thus strengthening bottom line productivity in Hawai'i. Submit testimony here