earmarks: 60

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id fiscal_year chamber member_name member_last member_first bioguide_id party state district subcommittee recipient recipient_normalized project_description recipient_address amount_requested
60 2022 House Cynthia Axne Axne Cynthia A000378 Democrat IA   Labor HHS Primary Health Care Dental Project PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DENTAL PROJECT Primary Health Care, Inc. (PHC) is requesting the total amount of $100,000 to purchase new dental operatory equipment at the Bery Engebretsen Dental Clinic located at 2353 SE 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. The Bery Engebretsen Dental Clinic is 14 years old and outdated, with original finishes and equipment. The purpose of this project to increase the capacity of the Bery Engebretsen Dental Clinic to see more low-income patients. Prior to the onset of COVID-19, the clinic saw 3,867 patients for a total of 8,282 visits in 2019. PHC patients have barriers to care; 36% of its patients are uninsured, another 36% are on Medicaid, and 7% are on Medicare – 19% have private insurance. Of all patients served by PHC, 93% live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL).There is a lack of provider access for low-income individuals in Polk County. PHC is the only dental provider in Polk County, Iowa that offers a sliding fee scale and one of the few providers who accepts patients on Medicaid. Without access to dental care, patients may visit emergency rooms that are not equipped with dentists or dental trained staff. In 2010, there were 18,444 visits made to emergency departments (EDs) in Iowa for dental conditions excluding craniofacial trauma (ICD codes 520-529). Approximately 21% of visits nationally were by individuals lacking any form of health insurance, and such visits have been increasing each year.A study conducted in Iowa looked at dental care after emergency room visits for adults with Medicaid. The study concluded that if the patient had visited the dentist prior to the emergency room visit, they were more likely to return to their dentist for subsequent visits. However, if the emergency room was the only access for dental issues, they were more likely to live with unresolved dental problems. In 2009, 270 ED visits in Iowa for dental conditions resulted in a hospital admission with average admission charges of over $15,000 each. Through this development opportunity, PHC is prepared to respond to the community challenges of limited Medicaid dental providers, lack of transportation assistance, and lack of culturally sensitive care; which are a few of the barriers faced by the low-income population of Polk County. Even with insurance, coinsurance and copays can oftentimes still be unaffordable. As a safety net provider, PHC has the ability to offer sliding fee scales to our patients. PHC dental clinics present a sustainable financial model and ensure the greatest access to care for low-income people in Polk County. 1200 University Avenue #200, Des Moines, IA 50314 100000