Members Present:

Rep. Carl R. Saunders, Chair

Sen. D. Edgar Allen

Sen. Peter C. Knudson

Rep. Patrice M. Arent

Rep. Trisha S. Beck

Rep. Glenn A. Donnelson

Rep. David Litvack

Rep. Rebecca D. Lockhart

Rep. Steven R. Mascaro

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss

Rep. Paul Ray

Rep. Mike Thompson

Members Absent:

Sen. Terry R. Spencer, Chair

Rep. Wayne A. Harper

Rep. Patricia W. Jones

Rep. Jack A. Seitz

Rep. Glenn L. Way

Staff Present:

Mr. Mark D. Andrews, Research Analyst

Ms. Catherine J. Dupont, Associate General Counsel

Ms. Alicia M. Laughlin, Legislative Secretary Note: A list of others present and a copy of materials can be found at http://image.le.utah.gov/imaging/history.asp or by contacting the committee secretary, Alicia Laughlin, at 538-1032.

1. Committee Business

Chair Saunders called the meeting to order at 2:25 p.m.

MOTION: Sen. Allen moved to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2002 meeting. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Spencer, Rep. Donnelson, Rep. Harper, Rep. Jones, Rep. Lockhart, Rep. Seitz, Rep. Thompson and Rep. Way absent for the vote.

2. Medicaid Primary Care Network

Mr. Rod Betit, Executive Director, Utah Department of Health, reported on the development of the new Primary Care Network, a Medicaid 1115 waiver scheduled for implementation July 1, 2002 (see handout, "Covering the Uninsured 2002").

3. Medicaid Oral Health Policy

Dr. Steven Steed, DDS, Utah State Dental Director, Utah Department of Health, and Dr. Wayne W. Cottam, DMD, MS, Utah Oral Health Coalition, presented "Access to Oral Health Services and The Utah Oral Health Improvement Act" and additional information regarding oral health, specifically oral diseases and their effect on children (see handouts). Dr. Cottam outlined possible solutions for early intervention and explained the Utah Oral Health Improvement Act. He also listed the Medicaid dental services that have recently been cut.

Sen. Allen asked if untreated dental disease carries with it a significant mortality rate. Dr. Cottam indicated that people can and do die from dental abscess, but because of the good emergency health care system in Utah, the number is very low.

Rep. Arent discussed the cost of prevention versus the cost of emergency treatment. She asked about what could be done in terms of education for the populations that are at risk. Dr. Cottam indicated that a prevention education group has been formed to enhance programs in schools to emphasize the importance of oral health.

Ms. Karie Minaga-Miya, Administrative Assistant, Primary Children's Medical Center, reported on oral health for children. She indicated that oral disease is one of the most prevalent childhood chronic illnesses and addressed the health care barriers faced by children with special medical conditions. She also addressed the cost benefit analysis of early intervention programs and indicated that work is being done to determine the cost of initiating those programs in the State.

Dr. Cottam indicated that dental disease is a crisis among low-income populations.

• Other Items / Adjourn

MOTION: Rep. Mascaro moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Spencer, Rep. Donnelson, Rep. Harper, Rep. Jones, Rep. Litvack, Rep. Lockhart, Rep. Seitz, Rep. Thompson, and Rep. Way absent for the vote.