An Act Concerning Husky Health Program Payment Parity For Safety Net Husky Dental Providers.
Impact
The proposed legislation is intended to positively impact access to dental services for low-income individuals enrolled in the HUSKY Health program by enhancing the financial stability of safety net dental providers. By ensuring fair compensation for their services, the bill supports a more robust network of providers who cater primarily to underserved populations, including those reliant on Medicaid. This change could potentially lead to increased participation in the HUSKY Health program among dental providers, thereby expanding access to essential dental care services.
Summary
House Bill 6103 aims to establish payment parity for dental and dental hygiene services provided by safety net HUSKY dental providers in Connecticut. The bill specifically targets nonprofit providers who are not affiliated with hospitals or federally qualified health centers and serve a significant portion of Medicaid beneficiaries. By amending title 17b of the general statutes, the legislation seeks to ensure that these safety net practitioners receive equal payment rates as their counterparts in federally qualified health centers, thereby addressing financial disparities in the state’s dental care system.
Contention
While the bill appears to have widespread support among advocates for low-income healthcare access, some potential points of contention may arise around the funding necessary to implement these changes. The financial implications of equalizing payment rates for safety net providers might lead to debates on budget allocation within the state's health care systems. Additionally, concerns could emerge regarding the overall sustainability of the HUSKY Health program if funding adjustments are not made appropriately to accommodate this parity.