The proposed bill establishes the Medicaid Adult Comprehensive Dental Benefit Study Committee, which aims to evaluate the feasibility and implications of expanding Arizona's Medicaid coverage to include comprehensive dental care for adults. This committee will analyze financing models for expanded dental benefits and develop both short-term and long-term expenditure projections, incorporating dynamic economic modeling to assess potential cost savings across various healthcare systems. The committee will consist of members from the Senate and House, as well as representatives from health services, patient advocacy organizations, dental professionals, and a healthcare economist.
Additionally, the bill outlines the committee's responsibilities, which include conducting evaluations of the costs and health outcomes associated with expanded dental services, developing financial models, identifying federal funding opportunities, and reviewing best practices from other states. The committee is required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations by April 30, 2027, after which it will be repealed. Overall, this bill aims to enhance oral health access for Medicaid members while assessing the financial and health impacts of such an expansion.