{ legislative news } by Patrick Baker Mid-Session legislative update T

he First Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly began at noon on January 9 and is scheduled to adjourn on May 17

at 6 p.m. As of April 1, only 30 legislative days will remain in the legislative session with only 25 of these days remaining for the pas- sage of a 2014 state operating budget! Your MDA legislative team has been working on several key issues, and we are hope- ful that a resolution to these issues can be reached this year. Activity will substantially increase as the close of session draws nearer.*

CAPPED FEES

House Bill 346 and Senate Bill 281 are attempts to prohibit insurance companies from capping the amount a dentist can charge a patient for a ser- vice, for which the insurance provides no reimbursement to the provider. HB 346, sponsored by Representa- tive Chris Molendorp, (R-Belton) and Senate Bill 281, sponsored by Senator Jay Wasson, (R-Nixa) contain identi- cal language, which is based on the National Council of Insurance Legisla- tors’ (NCOIL) model legislation. Some form of capped fees legislation has been passed in more than 26 states.

HB 346 has moved out of the House Committee on Health Insurance, chaired by Representative Chris Molendorp and cur- rently is awaiting debate on the floor by the full body of the House of Representatives.

SB 281 most likely will move out of the Sen- ate Committee on Small Business, Insurance and Industry in the coming weeks and will be debated by the full body of the Senate. Your legislative team has worked to remove opposition to this piece of legislation and is hopeful of its chances to pass.

to place the same authorizing language in the appropriations bill once again, we also are seeking a more permanent solution.

Senate Bill 127, sponsored by Senator David Sater, (R-Cassville) would reenact this lan- guage statutorily. If SB 127 were to pass, the authorization would be permanent; all that would remain would be to convince Depart- ment of Social Services to enact the legisla- tion as authorized.

On March 7, the Missouri Senate passed SB 127, with no changes, and sent that legisla- tion to the House of Representatives.

12 focus | MAR/APR 2013 | ISSUE 2 CARVE OUT

Last year the Missouri Legislature autho- rized, but did not mandate, the Department of Social Services (DSS) to create a single payer, statewide system for dental Medicaid benefits, commonly referred to as “Carve Out.” Because the authorizing language was passed in an appropriation bill it must be reenacted this year. While we are attempting

FLUORIDATION

On Thursday, March 7, the House of Representatives referred House Bill 467 to the Committee on Tourism and Natural Re- sources. This referral is the first step in what can be a long and difficult process. This bill, sponsored by Representative Donna Lichte- negger (R-Jackson), would require a public water system to notify the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Health and Senior Services and its cus- tomers, at least 30 days prior to a vote, to cease fluoridation. The Committee on Tourism and Natural Resources is chaired by Representative Don Phillips (R-Kimberling City). A hearing on this bill would be an important first step in raising awareness within the Capitol, even if its passage faces an uphill battle due to the late referral.

DENTAL DIRECTOR

House Bill 613 establishes the Direc- tor of Dental Health position to oversee the Missouri Oral Health Program within DHSS. This bill, again sponsored by Representative Donna Lichtenegger (R-Jackson), has not been referred to committee. The MDA believes that a Dental Director can be established and funded without the passage of HB 613, and as such, will continue to work with the executive branch and the appropriations chairmen in both the House and the Senate to establish this posi- tion. Until such time as the state establishes a Dental Director, Missouri’s applications for millions of dollars of grant funding, which could be used for oral prevention programs and to increase access and utilization of current programs, will continue to be denied solely on the basis that no director exists to oversee such programs.