HF 1623

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to public health; establishing a pilot project to improve access to dental
care for children; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin ACCESS TO ORAL HEALTH CARE PILOT PROJECT.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Bright Smiles project established. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health
shall establish a pilot project to fund a Bright Smiles program designed to increase access
to oral health care for low-income and immigrant children, ages birth to five years,
and their families and to build the knowledge and ability of parents to care for the oral
health of their children. Under this pilot project, a Bright Smiles program shall serve the
medically underserved areas in Minneapolis, as determined by the commissioner of health.
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new text begin (b) A grant shall be used to fund costs related to improving oral health outreach,
education, screening, and access to care for families with children, ages birth to five years.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Project requirements. new text end

new text begin Grant applicants shall submit to the commissioner
a written plan that demonstrates the ability to provide the following:
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new text begin (1) new programs or continued expansion of current access programs that have
demonstrated success in providing dental services in underserved areas of Minneapolis;
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new text begin (2) programs for screening children entering the Minneapolis public school system
and facilitating access to care for their families;
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new text begin (3) programs testing new models of care that are sensitive to cultural needs of the
recipients;
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new text begin (4) programs creating new educational campaigns that inform individuals of the
importance of good oral health and the link between dental diseases, overall health status,
and success in school; and
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new text begin (5) programs testing new delivery models by creating partnerships between local
early childhood and school-age education and community clinic dental providers.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Applications. new text end

new text begin (a) Qualified applicants are partnerships among early
childhood experts, Minneapolis public schools, and nonprofit clinics that are established
to provide health services to low-income patients, provide preventive and dental care
services, and utilize a sliding-scale fee or other method of providing charity care that
ensures that no person is denied services because of inability to pay.
new text end

new text begin (b) Applicants shall submit to the commissioner an application and supporting
documentation, in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. Applicants must
be able to provide culturally appropriate outreach, screenings, and access to dental care
for children, ages birth to five years, their parents, and pregnant women most at risk
of poor oral health due to lack of access to dental care. Applicants must also meet the
following criteria:
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new text begin (1) have the potential to successfully increase access to families with children,
ages birth to five years;
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new text begin (2) incorporate quality program evaluation;
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new text begin (3) maximize use of grant funds; and
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new text begin (4) have experience in providing services to the target populations of this program.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Evaluation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall evaluate the effectiveness of this
pilot program on the oral health of children and their families and report to the house
of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over public health policy
and finance by January 1, 2009, with recommendations as to how to develop programs
throughout Minnesota that provide education and access to oral health care for low-income
and immigrant children.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
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new text begin (a) $173,500 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of health for
the 2008-2009 biennium to fund a grant for the Bright Smiles pilot project.
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new text begin (b) $100,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of health for
the 2008-2009 biennium to fund a dental health coordinator position.
new text end