CHAPTER 129
HB 301 – FINAL VERSION
24Mar2009… 0848h
2009 SESSION
10/04
HOUSE BILL 301
AN ACT establishing a task force to study access to dental care.
SPONSORS: Rep. Schmidt, Straf 4; Rep. Reagan, Rock 1; Rep. E. Merrick, Coos 2; Sen. Sgambati, Dist 4
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
This bill establishes a task force to study access to dental care.
This bill is a request of the study committee on advanced dental hygiene practitioners and access to oral health care established in 2008, 185.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24Mar2009… 0848h
09-0372
10/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine
AN ACT establishing a task force to study access to dental care.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
129:1 Statement of Purpose. The general court finds that access to dental care for preventive and primary dental services is an increasing problem in New Hampshire, particularly for low-income and uninsured individuals, and residents of the north country. Heightened awareness of the importance of regular dental care, more people with dental insurance coverage, and an aging population with extended dental care issues adds to the need for more services. The general court recognizes the need to examine alternatives to the current delivery system, including mid-level care, dental health counseling programs, and collaborative professional arrangements for dentists, hygienists, and other health care providers.
129:2 Task Force Established. There is established a task force to study access to dental care.
129:3 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the task force shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.
(d) One member appointed by the New Hampshire Dental Hygienists’ Association.
(e) One member appointed by the New Hampshire Dental Society.
(f) One member appointed by the postsecondary education commission.
(g) One member appointed by the chancellor of the New Hampshire community college system.
(h) One member appointed by Delta Dental Plan of New Hampshire, Inc.
(i) One member appointed by the New Hampshire Health Care Association.
(j) One member appointed by the New Hampshire School Nurses Association.
(k) One member appointed by the Bi-State Primary Care Association.
(l) One member appointed by the New Hampshire Minority Health Coalition.
(m) One member appointed by the New Hampshire Public Health Association.
(n) One member appointed by the New Hampshire Medical Society.
II. Legislative members of the task force shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the task force.
129:4 Duties. The task force shall study the problem of access to dental care for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured persons and shall make recommendations for improving the delivery of services to this population. Areas of focus shall include, but not be limited to, education; Medicaid and other reimbursement for children and adults; promoting a “dental home” to lessen the reliance on emergency rooms for dental care; geographical disparities in available dental services; barriers to care such as transportation, language, and other health problems; and provider models from other states. In addition, the task force shall create a detailed action plan for improving access to dental care. The action plan shall include goals, specific tactics, responsibilities, time frame suggestions, and resource requirements needed to improve access. The access plan shall also indentify barriers, and suggested solutions to those barriers, that limit access to care.
129:5 Chairperson; First Meeting. The members of the task force shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the task force shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the task force shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section.
129:6 Staff. The task force may utilize the staff research assistance of the office of health management, department of health and human services, and the office of the legislative budget assistant in the conduct of this study.
129:7 Report. The task force shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2009.
129:8 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: June 29, 2009
Effective Date: June 29, 2009