HB19-1038 Dental Services for Pregnant Women on Child Health Plan Plus (Duran & Lontine/Ginal & Story)
Summary
This bill would provide dental insurance for the 900 pregnant Coloradans each year who use Colorado’s Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) for their health insurance. Currently, these pregnant individuals do not have any coverage for oral health care.
Position
The Children’s Campaign strongly supports this bill. For a small cost, Colorado can add dental benefits for approximately 900 pregnant people a year, improving their health, their pregnancy outcomes, and the health of the new baby. Lack of dental insurance is a leading reason why pregnant people in Colorado do not seek oral health care during their pregnancy. Periodontal disease in pregnant people has been linked to adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth and low newborn birth weights. One mechanism that may explain this connection is that active maternal periodontal disease during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for the development of preeclampsia. A mother’s prenatal oral health also has lifelong effects on her child’s oral health. The bacteria associated with poor oral health can pass from mother to baby with the potential to cause dental caries in infancy and early childhood. Tooth decay remains the most common chronic condition in childhood and adolescence. It can lead to poor performance in school and increased absences.
Current Status
Signed by the Governor on Tues. Apr., 16!
Previous Statuses
January 11, 2019
Assigned to the House Public Health Care & Human Services Committee.
January 25, 2019
Passed the House Public Health Care & Human Services Committee unanimously and now heads to the House Appropriations Committee. Erin Miller, our VP of Health Initiatives, testified in support.
March 1, 2019
Passed the House on a vote of 62-1 and now heads to the Senate, where it was assigned to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee
March 8, 2019
Assigned to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee where it is scheduled to be heard on Wed., Mar. 13th upon adjournment in LSB-B.
March 15, 2019
The bill passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Erin Miller, VP of Health Initiatives testified in strong support of the bill.
March 22, 2019
Passed out of Senate Health & Human Services Committee unanimously and now heads to the Senate Appropriations where it is scheduled to be heard on Fri., Mar. 29 at 7:30am in LSB-B.
March 29, 2019
Passed out of the Senate Appropriations unanimously and now heads to the Senate floor, where it has been placed on the consent calendar.
April 5, 2019
Passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the governor’s desk for signature.
