skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump suffers first defeat but as always doubles down for the next fight; From Ohio to Azerbaijan: How COP29 could shape local farming; Funding boosts 'green' projects in Meadville, PA; VA apprenticeships bridge skills gaps, offer career stability.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump has a new pick for Attorney General, his incoming "border czar" warns local Democratic officials not to impede mass deportation, and the House passes legislation that could target any nonprofit group accused of supporting terrorism.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The CDC has a new plan to improve the health of rural Americans, updated data could better prepare folks for flash floods like those that devastated Appalachia, and Native American Tribes could play a key role in the nation's energy future.

Greater access to dental care through MO HealthNet

play audio
Play

Thursday, October 5, 2023   

More Missourians should be able to get routine dental care, with a recent change in the way providers are paid by the state.

MO HealthNet is paying higher rates to providers who see patients in the state's version of Medicaid, which should encourage more of them to accept MO HealthNet patients.

Gary Harbison, executive director of the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health, said it is an important change because people may put off treating dental health issues if they are worried about the cost, but there is nothing minor about the problems.

"If untreated conditions go on, people sometimes end up in emergency rooms," Harbison pointed out. "Sometimes they end up in the hospital, and sometimes they die from untreated dental conditions."

Harbison noted access to oral care has an economic impact, too, since adults have an easier time at work when they are not dealing with dental pain, and children can go to school ready to learn and pay attention. It is estimated four in 10 children who are eligible for Medicaid coverage do not receive dental care.

Jessica Emmerich, dental medical facilitator for the coalition, said people in rural areas will notice the improved access the most. Now, they should be able to go to private-practice dentists, provided the dentists agree to take MO HealthNet patients.

"Which now allows MO HealthNet and the managed-care plans to pay comparable, if not more, to other insurances," Emmerich explained. "I just encourage participations from dental providers to enroll with MO HealthNet and Missouri Medicaid."

Many parts of Missouri do not have enough dentists, and the pandemic caused a reduction in the overall workforce. Most dental practices are still understaffed and some are not accepting new patients. Emmerich added the increased rates should help offset some of those economic factors.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Use caulk, spray foam and weather stripping to keep more heat inside the home. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder. This is the third year of …


Environment

play sound

The number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed on roadways in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the past 12 years and a New Mexico researcher wants to …

Environment

play sound

Minnesota's solar energy outlook took a big step forward this week with a new project coming online, bringing the conversation back into focus about …


Minnesota's foster care entry rate has declined in recent years, along with efforts to bolster the state's adoption policies. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

CLARIFICATION: We updated language to clarify the timing for when the study's authors began tracking certain outcome measures for children within the …

Social Issues

play sound

House lawmakers have passed a bill advocates said will be harmful to nonprofits in New York and nationwide. House Resolution 9495 passed with a 219-1…

Research shows in the United States and globally, alcohol consumption is a major cause of preventable death and disability and increases liver disease, mental health disorders and accidents. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A recent study from Florida Atlantic University highlights a concerning rise in alcohol-related deaths across the United States, with mortality rates …

Environment

play sound

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

Social Issues

play sound

Ten years ago today, 12-year-old Tamir Rice was shot by Cleveland police while holding a toy gun, sparking national protests for police reform…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021