G-1911-15758

This investment supports the Hawaii Public Health Institute to strategically guide statewide efforts in support of re-establishing a comprehensive adult dental benefit in Hawaii’s Medicaid program. This work aligns with the DentaQuest Partnerships priorities to promote health equity in Hawaii, pursue person-centered models of care, and expand access to public adult dental benefits. The political and policy opportunity that exists in Hawaii includes, but is not limited to, the 2019 passage of legislation mandating a cost-analysis report be developed to better understand the financial implications of funding the benefit as well as the growing capacity and influence of HIPHI and their partners to influence state level policy. The growing support for the benefit also is creating an opportunity to better understand how models of person-centered care are or are not operating in the Hawaii Safety-Net. Specific outcomes for 2020 are: passage of legislation that re-establishes a comprehensive adult dental benefit, a strengthened Hawaii Oral Health Coalition that is activated to support policy change, and the development of a strategy plan to advance person-centered care in the Hawaii Safety-Net. $110,000 supports time, travel, and supplies associated with deliverables as well as support for communications and public polling strategies.