Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Appropriations Committee

HB 2905

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Increasing outreach and engagement with access to baby and child dentistry programs.

Sponsors: Representatives J. Johnson, Riccelli, Caldier, Doglio, Pollet and Ryu.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Directs the Health Care Authority (HCA) to develop a local Access to Baby and Child Dentistry Program (ABCD) fund allocation formula, key deliverables, and target metrics for increased outreach and provider engagement and support.

  • Directs the HCA to monitor progress toward reducing racial and ethnic disparities in access to care and oral health outcomes and increasing the percentage of Medicaid-enrolled children under the age of two accessing dental care; and to support local ABCD programs and providers.

  • Appropriates $200,000 from the State General Fund.

Hearing Date: 2/5/20

Staff: Meghan Morris (786-7119).

Background:

The Health Care Authority (HCA) administers the Medicaid program, which is a state-federal program that pays for health care for low-income state residents who meet certain eligibility criteria. Benefits under the program vary according to a person's eligibility category which is determined by several factors, including income, age, health condition, and disability status. Dental services for Medicaid clients are provided through a fee-for-service arrangement in which the dentist bills the HCA directly.

Children of certain ages enrolled in Medicaid may participate in the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program at the HCA. The ABCD program provides enhanced fees to participating health care providers who provide additional services to participating children. The University of Washington's School of Dentistry and the Arcora Foundation provide management services, technical assistance, and provider recruitment and training for the ABCD program. The objective of the ABCD program is to identify and remove obstacles related to early preventive treatment such as transportation and language interpretation barriers. The additional services include family oral health education, application of fluoride, oral evaluations, restorations, therapeutic pulpotomies, amalgam and resin restoration on primary teeth, and services related to crowns. Participating providers include ABCD program-certified dental providers and other health care providers who have been approved by the HCA, including physicians, osteopathic physicians, advanced registered nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and osteopathic physician assistants.

Summary of Bill:

The HCA must contract with the statewide managing partner of the ABCD program to develop a local ABCD program fund allocation formula, key deliverables, and target metrics for increased outreach and provider engagement and support. The HCA must collaborate with stakeholders to monitor progress towards reducing racial and ethnic disparities in access to care and oral health outcomes and increasing the percentage of Medicaid-enrolled children under the age of two accessing dental care. The HCA must also support local ABCD programs and providers.

The sum of $200,000 is appropriated from the State General Fund for the HCA to support ABCD goals.

Appropriation: The sum of $200,000.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.