The Interim Committee on Medicaid Transformation held its second hearing on October 15 to discuss the services that are, or should be, covered by Medicaid.
When it comes to preventative services, Missouri’s Medicaid system often falls short. Prevention is always more effective than restoration, but too many Medicaid recipients are forced into the emergency room with conditions that could have been avoided.
Currently, Medicaid does not cover preventative dental care for adults even though those with poor oral health are more likely to suffer from tooth pain and infections. Left untreated, oral infections can cause digestive disorders or heart inflammation.
Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
When these conditions are allowed to fester, the emergency room is often the only place where Medicaid patients can find treatment.
The legislature began to address this issue last session by funding tooth extractions for adults on Medicaid and appropriating funds for rural oral health clinics and mobile dental units. Unfortunately, Governor Nixon withheld the funds for these programs and, even after veto session, chose not to release the money.
Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
When the Missouri Dental Association offered free dental care in Cape Girardeau, their volunteers saw 1,777 patients. Some of these families stood in line for hours for the chance to see a dentist.
With so much need in our communities, it is unacceptable to thwart programs that could provide Missourians with access to this essential component of wellness.
As the committee develops recommendations to improve Missouri’s Medicaid system, we must also strengthen preventative care for those with mental health needs. The disabled and mentally ill should be our top priority for Medicaid spending because consistent care really can mean the difference between life and death for these individuals.
The legislature appropriated over $11 million for provider rate increases last session to ensure that those suffering from mental illnesses would be able to find a caregiver who accepts Medicaid.
Proactively reforming dental and mental health services should be part of any comprehensive Medicaid transformation bill. If we want to improve wellness in our state, we have to prioritize funding for initiatives that can make a drastic impact on health outcomes.