HR1177

LRB094 20229 LJB 58125 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, During the 92nd General Assembly, legislation was 
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passed that provided for coverage of charges incurred for 
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anesthetics provided in conjunction with dental care in a 
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hospital or ambulatory surgical center; restrictions in the 
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legislation require (i) that the individual be a child 6 year 
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of age or under, (ii) that the individual have a medical 
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condition that requires hospitalization for general anesthesia 
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for dental care, or (iii) that the individual be disabled; and

 
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    WHEREAS, It is far more cost effective and just as safe to 
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do the dental work in a dental office; in addition, performing 
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the dental work in a dental office will increase access for 
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this restricted group of needy individuals; and

 
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    WHEREAS, 80% of dentists do not have hospital privileges; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, More cost effective pharmacologic methods of 
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patient management are currently not reimbursable, such as oral 
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sedation, IV sedation, or use of an office based 
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anesthesiologist; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Special needs patients, such as autistic  
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patients, do not respond well to "new" environments; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Hospital operating rooms are less efficient and 
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effective environments for the delivery of dental care as 
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compared to a dedicated dental facility; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The available dental equipment in many hospitals 
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is either limited or non-existent; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Many hospitals restrict the use of dental 
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auxiliaries in the operating room, including dental assistants 
 


 






HR1177
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LRB094 20229 LJB 58125 r




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and hygienists; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Office-based dental treatment will "main stream" 
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special needs individuals and results in lower patient stress 
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and anxiety; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Due to the greater cost effectiveness of 
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office-based care, more frequent oral evaluations with earlier 
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detection of oral disease is possible for special needs 
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patients; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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we urge the Division of Insurance of the Department of 
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Financial and Professional Regulation to complete a study on 
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the cost benefits of requiring accident and health insurance 
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policies to cover charges incurred and anesthesia provided in 
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conjunction with dental care that is provided to children and 
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disabled individuals in a dental office as well as a hospital 
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or ambulatory surgical treatment center; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That the study and its findings be reported back 
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to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2006; and be 
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it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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delivered to the Director of the Division of Insurance of the 
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Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the 
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Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.