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January 22, 2007
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Settlement Talks Stall
"The Bill is Back"
Legislative Action Website Available
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| Settlement Talks Stall |
Nearly seven years have past since a lawsuit was
filed so Connecticut's HUSKY children could
access critical dental services.
Seven months have passed since the State indicated
that they would be interested in settling the
lawsuit as the way to solve the problem. As a
result HB 5790, which would have raised HUSKY
reimbursement rates, was withdrawn at the very end
of the 2006 legislative session last May.
There is no settlement of the lawsuit and there is,
as of this date, not even a written response from
the State to answer the proposal that the lawsuit be
settled on the basic terms of HB 5790.
With no settlement in sight, legislation similar to
HB 5790 is necessary to make sure that HUSKY
children do not suffer for another year.
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| "The Bill is Back" |
The COHI Annual Meeting, held last Thursday, January
18, 2007 at the Four Points Sheraton in Meriden, was
the site for an important declaration by State
Representative Peggy Sayers, Co-Chair, Public Health
Committee, who serves the 60th Assembly District of
Windsor and Windsor Locks.
“The Bill is Back”, she announced from the podium as
she accepted one of the first annual COHI “Champion
of Oral Health” awards. The award was given in part
because Rep. Sayers had advanced HB 5790 during the
2006 legislative session. The bill would have
increased access to dental care for HUSKY children,
but was withdrawn after the State committed to
settle a nearly seven year old lawsuit. (See
article above)
Referencing the dire dental need of Connecticut’s
poorest children, Rep. Sayers said that a new bill,
similar to last year’s HB 5790, would be introduced
this legislative session. The crowd of nearly eight
supporters of oral health access, vigorously
applauded her statement.
See an Upcoming COHI Update for a full
story on the Annual Meeting.
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| Legislative Action Website Available |
Supporters of access to oral health care can use
COHI's legislative action website, through an
agreement with Judy Blei Government Relations.
At the website you can do a host of things including
track bills, send e-mails to legislators,
legislative committees and legislators by town. The
site also has links to information, hearing &
meeting schedules and more.
To access the site click on the link below. Then
choose
"Log in to our secure bill tracking site
(username and password required)"
Type in the username "cohi" (without the quotes) and
the password "cohi" (without the quotes) to enter
the legislative action site. Help is available
on-line or by calling the number on the site.
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| Key Public Hearing |
Your Help Needed !
The General Assembly's Public Health Committee has
scheduled two key hearings.
An open Public Hearing has been scheduled for
Wednesday January 31, 2007 starting at 10:00
AM in LOB Room 2C.
Testimony
on HUSKY dental reimbursement rates and inclusion of
oral health in any universal health care plan will be
needed
at this important hearing.
It is likely
that
the "new HB 5790" will be filed prior to this
meeting.
COHI and others will be contacting patients,
providers and advocates to provide testimony.
Assistance in testifying can be provided. If
you are willing to speak and/or know of someone,
particularly people with direct personal experience
as a HUSKY recipient or parent, contact Marty
Milkovic at 860-246-2644 or martym@ctoralhealth.org.
An informational forum, for invited speakers will
be held by the Committee on Monday, January 29,
2007 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in LOB Room 1D. The
forum will be followed by a Committee Press
Conference at 1:00 PM. Oral health
advocates will be suggesting expert witnesses to the
committee. Stay tuned for more news.
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Our Mission:
"Oral Health for All"
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