Breaking Barriers to Oral Health Act of 2011

[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1666 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1666

   To amend part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act to 
  improve essential oral health care for lower-income individuals by 
                    breaking down barriers to care.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 2, 2011

   Mr. Simpson (for himself and Mr. Ross of Arkansas) introduced the 
   following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act to 
  improve essential oral health care for lower-income individuals by 
                    breaking down barriers to care.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Breaking Barriers to Oral Health Act 
of 2011''.

SEC. 2. GRANTS TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER DENTAL PROJECTS AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE 
              PARTNERSHIPS.

    Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by 
inserting after section 320A (42 U.S.C. 247d-8) the following new 
sections:

``SEC. 320B. GRANTS TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER DENTAL PROJECTS.

    ``(a) Authority To Make Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants 
to or enter into contracts with eligible entities described in 
subsection (b) to purchase portable or mobile dental equipment and to 
pay for appropriate operational costs, including direct health care or 
service delivery costs, for the provision of free dental services to 
underserved populations that are delivered in a manner consistent with 
State licensing laws.
    ``(b) Eligible Entity.--An eligible entity under this subsection is 
an organization, such as a State or local dental association, or a 
dental education, dental hygiene education, or postdoctoral dental 
education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, 
or a community-based organization that partners with an academic 
institution, that is exempt from tax under section 501(c) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and that offers a free dental services 
program for underserved populations.
    ``(c) Application.--An entity desiring a grant under this section 
shall submit an application to the Secretary in such manner as the 
Secretary may require.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to make grants under this section $10,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2012 through 2016.

``SEC. 320C. GRANTS FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE ORAL 
              HEALTH EDUCATION AND DENTAL DISEASE PREVENTION AND 
              MEDICAID AND CHIP DENTAL PROGRAMS, AND FOR OTHER 
              PURPOSES.

    ``(a) Authority To Make Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants 
to or enter into contracts with eligible entities described in 
subsection (b) to collaborate with State, county, or local public 
officials and other stakeholders in order to develop and implement 
initiatives to accomplish any of the following goals:
            ``(1) To improve oral health education and dental disease 
        prevention.
            ``(2) To reduce barriers (including low reimbursement and 
        administrative impediments) in a manner that increases dental 
        provider participation in Medicaid and the Children's Health 
        Insurance Program (CHIP) under titles XIX and XXI of the Social 
        Security Act.
            ``(3) To make the dental delivery system providing dental 
        services under Medicaid or CHIP more efficient by taking 
        actions necessary to facilitate the establishment of dental 
        homes.
            ``(4) To address geographic, language, or cultural barriers 
        in the provision of dental services.
    ``(b) Eligible Entity.--An eligible entity under this subsection is 
a State or local dental association or a State dental association 
foundation that is exempt from tax under section 501(c) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 and that partners with public and private 
stakeholders to facilitate the provision of dental services for 
underserved populations.
    ``(c) Application.--An entity desiring a grant under this section 
shall submit an application to the Secretary in such manner as the 
Secretary may require.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to make grants under this section $10,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2012 through 2016.''.
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