ADOPTED - JULY 27, 2010

                                                                                                                                                   Agenda Item No. 33

Introduced by the Human Services and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION URGING THE MICHIGAN HOUSE AND SENATE
TO SEND GOVERNOR JENNIFER GRANHOLM AN APPROPRIATIONS BILL RESTORING THE MEDICAID ADULT DENTAL BENEFIT
AND URGING THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN THE BILL

RESOLUTION #10-233

WHEREAS, in 2009 Governor Jennifer Granholm issued an executive order eliminating funding for the Medicaid Adult Dental Program, and the Michigan legislature did not restore the funding in the 2010 budget; and

WHEREAS, 600,000 adult residents of Michigan have lost their preventive and restorative dental benefits as a result of this program’s elimination; and

WHEREAS, lack of access to oral health care has inflicted pain and suffering on Michigan and Ingham County residents; and

WHEREAS, in states that cut dental benefits in the past, experience shows the loss actually costs Medicaid more in the long run as patients are forced to go to emergency rooms and intensive care for relief from oral infections; and

WHEREAS, a study by Health Management Associates showed that when the State cut oral health benefits in 2003, oral health-related visits to the emergency room increased 11 percent; and

WHEREAS, with just $5 million in state funds, the Medicaid Adult Dental Program secured more than $21 million in federal funds, enabling Michigan to provide a critical health benefit in a fiscally responsible fashion; and

WHEREAS, both the Michigan House and Senate have passed proposed fiscal year 2011 budgets that restore the Medicaid Adult Dental Benefit and these proposals are now before a conference committee.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners urges the Michigan House and Senate to send Governor Jennifer Granholm an Appropriations Bill that Restores the Medicaid Adult Dental Benefit.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners urges the Governor to sign a Michigan Department of Community Health fiscal year 2011 budget that includes full funding of the Medicaid Adult Dental Program.

ADOPTED - JULY 27, 2010

                                                                                                                                                   Agenda Item No. 33

RESOLUTION #10-233

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to Governor Jennifer Granholm, the Ingham County state legislative delegation, Representative Andy Dillon, the Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, and the Michigan Association of Counties for their consideration and action.

HUMAN SERVICES:  Yeas:  McGrain, Davis, Nolan, Koenig, Vickers

Nays:  None       Absent:  Tennis        Approved 7/19/10    

FINANCE:  Yeas:  Grebner, Schor, Holman, Dougan

 Nays:  None               Absent:  Tennis, Bahar-Cook          Approved 7/21/10