Saturday, May 29, 2010

PICKING UP TEETH ON THE STREETS OF BROCKTON INSTEAD OF CONDOMS AND NEEDLES

    Masshealth sent out letters to Brockton area recipient's about 2 weeks ago stating that changes will occur on July 1st this year that they will only cover:
        Exams and X-rays
        Cleaning
        Removing Teeth
        Emergency Care(which means to remove a tooth and not save it)
        Some oral surgery, such as biopsies and soft tissue surgery-the biopsies for cancer

    This means that, effective July 1st 2010, Masshealth will NO LONGER pay for the following services:
        Restorative (fillings)
        Endodontic (root canal)
        Periodontic (deep scaling)
        Crowns
        Dentures(full,partial, or repair)-This seems like cruel and unusual punishment.
        Surgical procedures related to full or partial dentures.
    I have called and have been told that the budget has not passed as of this writing and that the funding for masshealth in this area will hopefully be increased so that these services remain in effect. If the budget passes and no changes take place then these services will stop for all members 21 and older. As a 43 year old male I know how much root canal and crowns and dentures cost.
    Massachusetts which has prided itself on universal health care and health care for all has dropped the ball on this one if it goes thru. I urge everyone to call their local state representatives and state senators. I have listed their names and click on their link and it will give you their numbers and emails. Massachusetts has the money for these services and needs to appropriate these funds. This is a basic health care right of all individuals to obtain Dental health. Studies reveal just how much Dental hygiene plays in our overall health and down the road Masshealth will be paying a much higher price in diseases caused by poor Dental care because funding has been denied for preventative care. Also many members were not given enough notice that this was happening. I urge all to call
your State Reps and your State Senator now before all of Brockton looses there teeth. Instead of Condoms and needles on the streets were going to be picking up teeth.