HB 1516 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Finds that "kids get care" assures that integrated preventive medical, oral, and developmental health services are provided to young children. Improving the delivery of well child visits, preventive oral health services, and developmental screening can reduce the need for hospitalization, caries treatment, and developmental interventions.

Provides that "kids get care" expands the use of evidence-based preventive measures in community health centers and private medical practices that treat many low-income children. "Kids get care" also strengthens the connections between social service agencies working with low-income families and local health care providers.

Declares an intent to facilitate low-income children's access to appropriate preventive and well-child services and to other necessary health, mental health, and dental services by supporting the extension of the successful "kids get care" model for delivering health services to children.

Provides that $435,000 of the general fund--state appropriation for fiscal year 2006 and $760,000 of the general fund--state appropriation for fiscal year 2007 is provided solely to the department of health to develop and implement best practices in preventive health care for children statewide.