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Bill will lead to healthy mothers and healthy babies
(Feb. 22) – The House floor approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Monica Duran and Rep. Susan Lontine that will extend eligibility for dental coverage to pregnant women insured through Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) on second reading. Through this bill, all enrollees in this program can benefit from dental coverage. The bill will help nearly 900 pregnant women who are insured through CHP+.
“As a dental assistant, I’ve seen many pregnant women come in with dental issues that can affect their baby,” said Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, a certified dental assistant.. “Due to hormonal and diet changes during pregnancy, women are particularly susceptible to gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth decay, that can spread to their babies and cause low birth weight among other issues. This is really important to all of us.”
Currently, the medical services board only offers dental services for eligible children enrolled in a CHP+. About 25 percent of all pregnant women in Colorado lack dental insurance coverage. CHP+ is health insurance for children and for pregnant women over the age of 19 who do not qualify for Medicaid.
“This bill improves the health of women, their pregnancy outcomes, and the health of new babies,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “Having healthy moms leads to healthy babies, and this is something we all want to see.”
HB 19-1038 passed on second reading with bipartisan support through a voice vote. It must go through final reading on the House floor before it gets sent to the Senate.
ATTACHED: Headshot of Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge and Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver