A Muskie School of Public service found dental problems were the number one cause for emergency room visits by adults without insurance or with MaineCare coverage, leading many officials to propose legislation to extend dental coverage, according to BDN Maine.
Here are four notes:
1. In 2012, a group aiming to find savings in the MaineCare program recommended some dental coverage for MaineCare enrollees.
2. Lawmakers examined a bill last year to provide MaineCare dental coverage to pregnant and postpartum women, and directed the department to devise rules to cover dental care for MaineCare recipients when it would avoid more pricey medical or dental care.
3. The bill, LD 747, is being considered in the current session that began last week. During the session, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce testified in support of the bill.
4. In a letter to members of the Committee of Health and Human Services, Peter Fore, vice president of advocacy and government relations for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce wrote, "As a matter of course, the Maine State Chamber rarely, if ever, supports adding mandates on private insurers or on the state's MaineCare Program. However, this is one of those instances in which a modest investment today can lead to greater savings, better health outcomes and a more productive workforce in the years ahead."
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