PRINTER'S NO. 4555
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1051
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY RAPP, BOBACK, RYAN, ULLMAN, DRISCOLL, KENYATTA,
KAUFFMAN, TOOHIL, PICKETT, CAUSER, SAYLOR, FREEMAN, HERSHEY,
BERNSTINE AND ZIMMERMAN, OCTOBER 19, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, OCTOBER 19, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a cost-benefit analysis and issue a report on the
need to increase the availability and provide additional
funding for oral health care services in rural areas
throughout this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Increasing the availability and lowering the cost of
oral health care services is vital to meet the oral health
demands of residents of this Commonwealth who live in rural
areas; and
WHEREAS, Teledentistry is practiced in 23 states, with most
of those states allowing Medicaid agencies to authorize
reimbursement for teledentistry services; and
WHEREAS, Many Pennsylvanians, including residents enrolled in
medical assistance, living in rural areas or experiencing
disabilities, are frequently unable to find or see a dentist or
pay for dental care; and
WHEREAS, Teledentistry can be practiced in many ways,
including video consultations, provider education courses and
patient monitoring to address a patient's oral health; and
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WHEREAS, Lack of oral health care services leads to a greater
risk of chronic illnesses and poor health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Preventive dental care and treatment reduces
expenditures to treat other chronic and serious conditions; and
WHEREAS, Mobile dentistry has become a valuable tool in
delivering oral health care services to rural Pennsylvanians;
and
WHEREAS, At least 40 state Medicaid programs reimburse for
mobile dental services; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a cost-
benefit analysis and issue a report on the need to increase the
availability and provide additional funding for oral health care
services in rural areas throughout this Commonwealth; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee's
report include an examination of the costs of oral health care
services for residents of this Commonwealth who live in rural
areas and lack access to oral health care services; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee's
report include recommendations to achieve potential savings from
integrating teledentistry, mobile dentistry and any other cost-
saving benefit options in order to provide oral health care
services to residents of this Commonwealth who live in rural
areas; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
submit its report to the members of the House of Representatives
within 18 months of the adoption of this resolution.
20200HR1051PN4555 - 2 -
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