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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 00-1143

NOTICES

HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT COUNCIL

Mandated Benefits

[30 Pa.B. 3361]

   Section 9 of the Health Care Cost Containment Act (35 P.S. §§ 449.1--449.19) requires that the Health Care Cost Containment Council (Council) review proposed mandated health benefits on request of the executive and legislative branches of government. The Council has been requested by Senator Edwin G. Holl, Chairperson of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, to review Senate Bill 1291, Printers Number 1668 (Hart), the Access to Dental Care Act. Senate Bill 1291 would require health insurance policies to provide coverage for general anesthesia and associated medical costs to eligible dental patients. Eligible patients include: 1) children under 5 years of age; and 2) individuals who are severely disabled mentally, physically or developmentally and are extremely fearful or uncooperative, whose dental needs are deemed important enough that dental care cannot be deferred.

   Initial notification of request for information and documentation was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on April 8, 2000, with documentation due to the Council by June 8, 2000.

   Following is a list of the documentation received. This information is available for public review and comment at the Council office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) until August 1, 2000. Any additional comments on this information must be received by 5 p.m. on August 1, 2000. The Council office is located at: 225 Market Street, Suite 400, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Send comments (six copies) to Flossie Wolf at this address.

Submissions for Senate Bill 1291

   1.  AFLAC--American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Richard J. Gmerek of the Law Offices of Gmerek & Hayden)

   *  Statement addressing SB 1291 and requesting exemptions for certain supplemental policies.

   2.  American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (Paul S. Casamassimo, DDS, MS, President)

   *  Letter supporting SB 1291.

   *  Attachment addressing mandated benefits for dental anesthesia for children and special needs patients.

   3.  Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (Connie Jewett, Vice-President of External Affairs)

   *  Letter opposing SB 1291.

   4.  Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (Bruce R. Hironimus, Vice President of Government Affairs)

   *  Statement addressing Section 9 requirements and opposing SB 1291.

   *  Attachments addressing dental anesthesia, health insurance, and health insurance mandates.

   5.  Independence Blue Cross (Mary Ellen McMillen, Vice President of Legislative Policy)

   *  Letter opposing SB 1291.

   6.  The Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, Inc. (John R. Doubman, Secretary & Counsel)

   *  Letter addressing Section 9 requirements and opposing SB 1291.

   *  Attachment addressing safety of sedation during pediatric dental procedures.

   7.  Managed Care Association of Pennsylvania (Kimberly J. Kockler, Executive Director)

   *  Letter addressing Section 9 requirements and opposing SB 1291.

   8.  Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry (Fred A. Sembach, Vice President of Government Affairs)

   *  Letter opposing mandated coverage of dental anesthesia.

   9.  Pennsylvania Dental Association (Philip T. Siegel, DDS, Chair, PDA Council on Government Relations)

   *  Statement addressing Section 9 requirements and supporting SB 1291.

   *  Attachments addressing pediatric dental treatment and the proposed cost of SB 1291.

   10.  Pennsylvania Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (John Ciabattoni, DDS, President)

   *  Letter supporting SB 1291.

   11.  Representative Stanley E. Saylor

   *  Memo supporting coverage of dental anesthesia.

   *  Attachments addressing dental anesthesia legislation in Maryland.

MARC P. VOLAVKA,   
Executive Director

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 00-1143. Filed for public inspection June 30, 2000, 9:00 a.m.]



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