The North Dakota Legislature is considering two bills that aim to increase dental care access for low-income and under-represented populations in the state, the North Dakota Monitor reported Feb. 12.
Five notes:
1. House Bill 1567 would fund a study examining dental healthcare under Medicaid and look at ways to recruit providers to improve access for low-income children, Native American children and people with disabilities.
2. Senate Bill 2231 would add dental coverage to the state's Medicaid Expansion program, which supports adults who aren’t eligible for Medicaid but whose household income falls below 138% of the federal poverty line.
3. Adding dental benefits under Medicaid Expansion would cost about $500,000 in state funds and about $4.6 million in federal funds, but proponents of the bill say these costs could help offset what is spent on emergency care.
4. More than 1,700 North Dakota residents visited an emergency room for tooth pain in 2021, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services.
5. Sen. Judy Lee, a sponsor of the bill, added that the bill could help people seek care earlier and avoid missing school and work.