Senate Passes Bill to Provide Dental Healthcare Services to Pregnant Women
April 3, 2019
Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1038, Dental Services For Pregnant Women On Children's Basic Health Plan Plus, a bill sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Tammy Story (D-Conifer) to increase access to dental care for children and pregnant women. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for signature.
“I come from a family that was very aware of the importance of dental healthcare. I know that diet and hormonal changes in pregnant women make them at risk for a number of serious dental health issues,” said Senator Ginal. “This bill will improve a woman’s overall health and pregnancy outcomes, as well as the health of newborns.”
“The number one reason cited by pregnant women for why they don’t go to the dentist is a lack of affordable insurance options. That’s a serious issue because poor oral hygiene can have lasting impacts on the health of unborn babies,” said Senator Story. “We have an opportunity to provide dental health coverage to those Coloradans who need it the most, and I am proud that this is well on its way to becoming law.”
Hundreds of pregnant women who are insured through the Child Health Plan Plus – a state public low-cost health insurance program – do not have access to dental healthcare. HB19-1038 will expand access to dental care to allenrollees, including children and pregnant women.
The Colorado House of Representatives voted 62-1-1 to pass HB19-1038 on February 25, 2019. For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1038.
###