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City Council
July 5, 2016
John Wiesman, Secretary of Health
Washington State Department of Health
PO Box 47890
Olympia, WA 98504-7890
RE: Enhanced Reimbursement for Dentists Serving Medicaid Patients
Dear Mr. Wiesman,
As you know, Medicaid reimbursement in Washington State is currently among the lowest in the
nation. Approximately 1/3 of the youth in our community are eligible for Medicaid, but unfortunately
there is a shortage of dentists who accept Medicaid patients due to the State's low reimbursement
rates. Dentists in our small rural community are tasked with the difficult charge of caring for the
growing number of low-income children in need of dental care,but providers tell us the current
reimbursement rates are inhibitory, making it difficult for them to even cover the costs of an
appointment.
Due to the shortage of dentists in Port Angeles who accept Medicare patients, some members of our
community find it necessary to make long-distance trips to dental offices off of the Peninsula. This can
be a hardship for families who have limited options. Even worse, there are children who receive no
dental care because of lack of access or inability to travel.
I reach out to you today on behalf our Port Angeles City Council,requesting that the State of
Washington consider an enhancement of reimbursement for dentists serving Medicaid patients. The
benefits of such an enhancement would greatly assist our community. Early access to dental care
allows for parents to prevent unnecessary and painful dental work that could otherwise have been
avoided through adequate and frequent visits to the dentist. Increased reimbursement will likely result
in more providers being able to serve this population and give kids the care they need to learn and
grow along with their peers, free of oral health diseases that can cause significant suffering.
It is not enough to provide kids with Medicaid if the State does not also consider access to care.Please
consider this request to erihance reimbursement for dentists serving Medicare patients,as it benefits
the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community.
i
Sincerely,
Patrick Downie
Mayor
Phone: 360-417-4500/Fax: 360-417-4509/TTY: 360-417-4645
Website: www.cityofpa.us/ Email: council@cityofpa.us
07ffi/Mj5:ifth Street - P.O. Box 1150 / Port Angeles, WA 93362-0217 L - 8