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Legislative Update  April 2008

Legislative bill status:

H-7923: This bill would permit dentists who provide dental services to Medicaid –eligible residents of nursing facilities to receive reimbursement for the services of at least the median of the fees paid to dentists by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Delta Dental and the rates reported by the American Dental Association for New England.  It would help nursing facility residents to receive regular preventive, diagnostic cleaning and necessary basic restorative treatment.

            2-26-08  Introduced and referred to House Finance.

H-8037: This bill would permit a limited license to be granted to certain foreign trained dentists.  This limited license would permit foreign trained dentists to practice dentistry only in an ADA-accredited, hospital based advanced dental education program that provides dental services in federally designated dental health professional shortage areas of the state.

            3-12-08 Introduced-referred to H.E.W.

            3-26-08 Committee recommend held for further study

S-2366:  This bill would exempt from civil liability, services performed without compensation by dentists and dental hygienists at free dental clinics.  A free dental clinic is defined in this bill as an organized program providing without charge, dental care to all individuals.  The program is sponsored by the community, public health, charitable, voluntary or organized dental organizations.

            2-12-08   Introduced and referred to Senate Judiciary

S-2674:  This bill would provide that Medicaid rates of payment to dental professionals would be reconstructed and enhanced, and that Medicaid-eligible children would have better access to appropriate dental care.  This bill also includes the Medicaid-eligible residents in nursing facilities.  In addition, the general assembly directs the department to develop an oral health care coordination program to provide an adequate dental network of oral health providers and services that will enhance access to appropriate dental care.

            2-13-08   Introduced and referred to Senate Finance

S-2675:  This bill would prohibit a nonprofit dental service corporation from enacting any rule which would prohibit a claim for service to a patient within a two (2) year period.

            2-26-08  Introduced

            4-2-08   Schedule for hearing

H7575:  This bill would allow 2^nd year dental students to apply for a limited dental hygiene license. 

2-26-08    Introduced to H.E.W.

3-26-08  Committee recommended measure to be held further study.

Legislative Annual Report 7-07

            The legislative committee focused on re-establishing connections with the various health care groups, since Pam Nelson resigned last year as legislative chair.  Pam had worked to build open communications between all of the oral health care providers, which has been beneficial to both the public and RIDHA.

            Lobby day was held on Wednesday March 14, 2207, at the state house, from 3-6 pm. This year an invitation was extended to the Dental Society and to Mr. Pat Quinlan, RIDA lobbyist, unfortunately they were unable to join us.  Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and information on Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) were available to the members of both the Senate and House.  While at the State House-a demonstration by the homeless population was drawing attention to their plight-each of the demonstrators received free dental products, which many seemed appreciative of.

            There were seven bills introduced into both the RI Senate and RI House this year by the RI Dental Association.  Three major bills of interest are: H-5764/S0654- this act would add the RI Dental Association to the list of entities who make recommendations to the Governor of persons to serve on the Health Professional Loan Repayment Board-this passed with the signature of the Governor on July 6, 2007.  House bill 5383/S 0658-this act would create a special class of licensure for retired dentists and hygienists to allow them to practice dentistry/hygiene for no compensation in a volunteer non-profit situations-this was signed by the Governor on July 2, 2007.  RI House bill 5384/S0660: this act would allow dental students who have completed at least half of the prescribed courses in dental schools to take a dental hygiene board examination, which would allow the dental student to be licensed as a dental hygienist until completion of dental studies.  This bill was withdrawn by the Dental Association after a lively discussion between RIDHA, RIDA and the faculty members of CCRI.  Attached is the complete list of all legislation and the status of each as of July 30, 2007.

            2007 ADHA State Lobby Day- was targeted for the week of February 19^th, during Congressional recess period.  Lawmakers during this week, tend to schedule meetings with their constituents within their state.  A phone script, information sheet on ADHP and a list of members who reside in a key congressional district was attached to the email.  I contact members on the list and ask them to contact Mr. Kennedy to support any legislation to benefit RDH’s quest to increase access to care for all individuals.

            Letters were faxed to Senator Jack Reed and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse encouraging them to support SCHIP legislation that includes the guarantee for dental coverage.  The current Senate version that was passed by the Finance Committee does not include dental guarantee.  However, there is an amendment introduced on the Senate floor to include dental coverage.  I have also requested meetings with both Senators in August, during their summer break. 

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Jones-Bridges, CDA, RDH, BS

Rhode Island General Assembly Session

This year in the General Assembly there were an assortment of Bills related to dental hygienists/dentists.  Of special interest to dental hygienists were the following Bills.

S2384 - Introduced by Senators Alves, Roberts, Perry, Issa and Goodwin 
Entitled - "An Act Relating to Businesses and Professions - Dentists and Dental Hygienists (Nursing Home Access)"  
Passed on July 7, 2006

S2535 - Introduced by Senators Roberts, Gibbs, Perry, Pichardo, and Alves 
Entitled - "An Act Relating to Human Services - Medical Assistance (Dental Care) Reimbursement"
Held for further study

H7504 - Introduced by Singleton, sullivan, Moura and Lima
Entitled - "An Act Relating to Waters and Navigation-Public Drinking Water Supply (Prohibit Water Supply Authorities in the State From Adding the Chemical Fluoride to Public Drinking Water"
Held for further study

Other Bills of Interest:

S2341                                                                                                                                                                        S2495                                                                                                                                                                    S2706                                                                                                                                                                    S2758                                                                                                                                                                     H7459                                                                                                                                                                     H7460                                                                                                                                                                    H7467                                                                                                                                                                     H7812

If you would like to see the exact wording of the Bills that were introduced.  Go To:  http://www.rilin.state.ri.us and click on Bill/Status/History and type in the Bill number.

Thanks to all who participated in supporting RIDHA efforts.