1708-13404

This funding is to support progress towards an adult dental benefit for adults with disabilities in Texas, which would impact an estimated 328,192 adult Texans with disabilities who currently lack dental coverage. This work will build on the success of the Coalition in 2017 which got the Texas Legislature to approve and fund a study on the impact of implementing an adult dental-benefit for adults with disabilities in Texas. Specifically, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities will broaden the scope of their network, interface with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission that is overseeing the study, monitor and testify at legislative hearings, increase the number of legislative champions, and continue to engage with the Texas Oral Health Coalition and other partners. This directly aligns with the OH2020 goal to include an adult dental benefit in publicly funded health coverage. The total grant amount is $99,844.00 and that goes primarily to support the staff in their time to coordinate, convene, and activate its partners to support progress towards establishing the benefit. Additionally, there is money in the budget to pay for an advocacy-consultant to bolster the advocacy strategies as they move into the 2019 legislative session.