Mississippi House Bill HB12

Mississippi 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/24
• Refer: 1/17/24
• Failed: 3/5/24

Caption

State Health Plan; provide coverage for prosthetic teeth and dental implants for children with oligodontia.

Impact

The proposed amendment will remove the existing exclusion in dental care for prosthetic teeth and permanent dental implants for affected children. This change is expected to have an important positive impact on families with affected children, reducing out-of-pocket costs for essential dental procedures. By including prosthetic dental care in the health insurance plan, the state acknowledges the importance of comprehensive dental care as part of health equity and ensures better health outcomes for children with special dental needs.

Summary

House Bill 12 seeks to amend Section 25-15-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, expanding the coverage options under the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan. The bill is designed to ensure that children suffering from oligodontia— a condition characterized by the absence of multiple teeth—receive coverage for prosthetic teeth and permanent dental implants. This legislative action is aimed at enhancing the health benefits available to state and school employees' children, addressing a significant gap in dental coverage for this specific condition.

Contention

While the bill aims to provide necessary coverage, discussions around it may highlight the challenges of budgeting for additional health benefits within the state's existing financial constraints. Opposition may arise around concerns regarding the fiscal implications of expanding coverage and the need to balance the state budget while ensuring comprehensive health benefits for families. Nonetheless, advocates of the bill argue that investing in children's health through preventive and corrective dental care is beneficial to the state in the long run.