See other bills
under the
same topic
PRINTER'S NO. 691
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
68
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY RAPP, OWLETT, ZIMMERMAN, GAYDOS, CONKLIN, PICKETT,
HILL-EVANS, WEBSTER, WHEELAND AND STAMBAUGH, MARCH 1, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 1, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study to review the availability of dental services
in rural areas of this Commonwealth and to provide a report
detailing the options for improving access to oral health
care services.
WHEREAS, Lack of oral health care services leads to a greater
risk of chronic illnesses and poor health outcomes; 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
WHEREAS, Teledentistry is practiced in 23 states, with most
of those states allowing Medicaid agencies to authorize
reimbursement for teledentistry services; 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, Many Pennsylvanians, including residents enrolled in
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
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, 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, 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 study to
review the availability of dental services in rural areas of
this Commonwealth and to provide a report detailing the options
for improving access to oral health care services; and
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 present options for how
teledentistry and mobile dentistry could expand access to oral
health care services for 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.
20210HR0068PN0691 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27