After cuts in California dental insurance, ER visits went up

[n2doc]

After dental benefits were removed from California's public health insurance for the poor, emergency room visits for dental problems went up, a new study shows.

Removing comprehensive dental benefits from the state's Medicaid program in 2009 led to nearly 1,800 additional ER visits per year for dental problems, the researchers estimate.

"California used to provide comprehensive dental benefits for adults," said Astha Singhal, the study's lead author from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. "During the recent economic recession they were looking for ways to cut costs and save money."

The findings are especially important as U.S. states either expand or consider expanding their Medicaid programs under the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) - also known as Obamacare, Singhal said.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/08/us-dental-health-medicaid-idUSKBN0NT2E420150508

[NYC_SKP]

1. Like everything else, it costs us all more $ if we don't cover care, esp. preventative care.

Stupid fucking politicians think that it saves citizens money to cut benefits.

Bullshit.

[yeoman6987]

5. This pisses me off

If we can't get the democratic states from being stupid, how can we expect the republican states to not follow. It is a shame that with practically 100 percent Democratic everything in California, we still have to worry about crap like this.

[SheilaT]

2. I don't know about most ERs

but the hospital I used to work at didn't keep dentists on staff. I'm guessing that in the case of an accident or injury that involved teeth, a dentist would be called in.

[jwirr]

3. I suspect the patients were going to the ER for pain. That is what my grandson did.

[NV Whino]

4. They basically assess the situation

Maybe give out a pain pill or antibiotic and tell you to see a dentist. Oh, and charge you/insurance $2000 .

[SheilaT]

6. And chances are, what's causing the pain ought to be addressed.

ERs are great for Emergency situations. Not to deal with chronic situations.

And yes, I understand that many people still don't have adequate health care coverage, and very few have decent dental.

[Bluenorthwest]

7. One of the reasons I support Bernie Sanders is that he has repeatedly mentioned the need for

dental coverage for all people, which we certainly need.