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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ADULT ORAL HEALTH CARE
WHEREAS, Cook County is a home rule unit of local government pursuant to Article VII, Section 6 (a) of the 1970 Illinois Constitution, and as such may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs; and
WHEREAS, this country's strength and ability to prosper is grounded in the health and safety of its people. For many years now millions of Americans could not afford adequate healthcare. The Affordable Care Act affords us an opportunity to provide and improve health care services to every American; and
WHEREAS, while the passage of the Affordable Care Act has moved this country in a direction for all people to have health insurance, it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the need for adjustments as a program of this magnitude is implemented; and
WHEREAS, the Affordable Care Act excludes adult oral health care services while it covers many essential health benefits. It has been acknowledged by oral health care agencies and professionals that oral health care is essential to insure overall quality of health; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Surgeon General refers to dental disease as a silent epidemic. In 2000 the U.S. Surgeon General issued a report on the Oral Health of American, in it the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research showed the link between general health and oral health. The report went on to say that many systemic diseases and conditions have oral manifestations. These manifestations may be the initial sign of clinical disease and as such serve to inform clinicians and individuals of the need for further assessment. More importantly, the report notes that the oral cavity is a portal of entry as well as the site of disease for microbial infections that affect general health status; and
WHEREAS, it is also acknowledge by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that the lack of access to dental care is extremely important beca...
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