|
February 4, 2007
| In this Issue: |
 |
|
Oral Health Advocates Testify
for HUSKY Kids
Support Universal Health Care
that Includes Oral Health
Make a Difference in Public Policy
|
Oral Health Advocates Testify
for HUSKY Kids |
Several oral health advocates testified last
Wednesday in support of raising the HUSKY dental
rates and improving access to oral health care at a
hearing in the Legislative Office Building.
Because of low rates, more than two thirds of HUSKY
children did get basic oral health care in 2005. The
State currently pays $22 per month to provide dental
insurance to its employees and their children, but
only $8 for HUSKY children.
Adults fare no better. Virginia Downing of New
Haven, said she has to take three buses to
Bridgeport to see a dentist because none of the
dentists in her area will take her state-funded
health insurance.
|
Support Universal Health Care
that Includes Oral Health |
"Your not
healthy
without good oral
health"
C. Everett Koop, M.D.,
former Surgeon General of the United States;
Chairman, Oral
Health 2000
A number of bills have been raised this year that
would establish universal health care or expand
coverage to those who do not have access to care.
COHI is tracking almost two dozen (see story
below).
Many do not include oral health care. One
that does is SB 1, introduced by Senator Williams.
All of them should. We need universal health
care that includes oral health.
There is
increasing evidence that poor oral health is linked
to heart disease, diabetes and recently pancreatic
cancer. Good preventative oral health care can save
money. For example, dental pain is the number two
reason that children go to the emergency room in
Connecticut during the day.
Look to COHI Alerts for more information in the near
future. In the meantime learn more about universal
health care and the HealthCare4every1 campaign by
clicking below.
|
| Make a Difference in Public Policy |
Supporters of access to oral health care can use
COHI's legislative action website.
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.
The site is maintained by Judith Blei Government
Relations. 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. You can focus on key
legislation by clicking on "List Priority Bills Only".
|
|
| How You Can Help |
Plan to Testify for Oral Health Access
We expect the new oral health bill to be filed soon,
so now is a good time to plan for testifying at that
important hearing.
Read the Guide
to Testifying at a Public Hearing and use support
materials at COHI's website to prepare your
testimony. Contact COHI for help.
Another good source of information on the
legislative process is the Connecticut Network's
(CT-N) Joining
The Debate: A Guide To Testifying At Public Hearings
.
Write to Your Legislators
Use the COHI Legislative Action Link (below left) to
find your legislator and to send e-mail to them.
They need to hear from their constituents about the
importance of oral health care access.
Write Letters to the Editor
Create momentum by keeping oral health in the media.
Newspapers look for topical letters. Look to this
space soon for samples.
All of these strategies will be critical when we
have an oral health access bill. Now is the time to
get ready. Stay tuned for more!
|
Our Mission:
"Oral Health for All"
|
