09 LC 94
1219
Senate
Resolution 665
By:
Senators Thomas of the 54th, Rogers of the 21st, Hill of the 32nd and Unterman
of the 45th
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Administration of Dental Benefits for Medicaid and PeachCare Study
Committee; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
there are over 1 million Georgia children who are enrolled or are eligible for
Medicaid and PeachCare, and many more children will be seeking health care
benefits in light of the national recession and the current economic climate;
and
WHEREAS,
dental care is essential for a child's development, well-being, and happiness;
and
WHEREAS,
a provider network of dentists available to Georgia's children is vital in
ensuring that the children of Georgia do not go without adequate oral health
care resources; and
WHEREAS,
dental care for Medicaid and PeachCare children in the State of Georgia is
mandated by the federal government; and
WHEREAS,
the citizens of the State of Georgia demand and expect that state and federal
funding to provide such services is being utilized in the most efficient manner;
and
WHEREAS,
a comprehensive study of the issues and facts relating to the provision of state
and federally funded dental care for children in the State of Georgia is needed
to protect the health of this state's citizens and the economic vitality of
Georgia.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate
Administration of Dental Benefits for Medicaid and PeachCare Study Committee to
be composed of six members to be appointed by the President of the Senate who
shall designate one member as chairperson. The chairperson shall call all
meetings of the committee.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the
administration of dental benefits for Medicaid and PeachCare recipients. The
study shall focus on the number of Georgia children not being served, the
adequacy of the dental network of providers, payments to care management
organizations for their services, and the financial implications of transferring
the administration to a single administrator model. The committee may conduct
such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or
convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform
its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The
members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code
Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances
authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the
committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. The
funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from
the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event the committee makes a report
of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation,
if any, such report shall be made on or before December 1, 2009. The committee
shall stand abolished on December 1, 2009.