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Editorial
Oh Say, Can't They See?
Helping the helpers is a part of the solution, too
William E. Stein, D.D.S.
I just got the latest MDA News describing what transpired at the last legislative session. Governor Pawlenty is my guy. I voted for him, and I applaud his stand on taxes. This state needs to cut down. We have all suffered from the economic downturn. But did I read that just this once, weÍre sending the sick tax money to the general fund?! CanÍt they see that our legislature doesnÍt do anything ñjust this onceî?! CanÍt they see that MinnesotaCare is an egregious example of ñlast minute legislation?î They were in a panic. ñClinton Careî was coming, and they needed to lead the way. The author of MinnesotaCare was one of the ñsecret membersî of Hillary Rodham ClintonÍs health care task force, and amazingly, after the MinnesotaCare debacle, he was hired by a group of organized dentists opposed to MinnesotaCare to lobby for them! Now the MinnesotaCare tax is going to 2 percent, and the Governor takes credit for no tax increases! CanÍt they see that this is a tax increase?
And welfare dentistry. Call it what you will: Medicaid, Blue Plus, MinnesotaCare, PMAP, GMAC, Doral, I donÍt care. CanÍt they see itÍs all welfare? As the good Lord said when someone accused Him of enjoying a little luxury, ñThe poor will always be with you,î and they will!
CanÍt they see that spa dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are wonderful and lucrative and enjoyable for doctor and patient, but there are thousands of people out there suffering from dental pain who would crawl on their hands and knees for an extraction?! CanÍt they see that the state of the state is making even that impossible?! The state will gladly pay $150 for a taxi ride for a welfare patient to a dentist who accepts Medicaid. CanÍt they see that if only they would pay the local dentists $90 for a $110 filling, there would be no access problem?! CanÍt they see that by putting restrictions on and cutting down the already meager reimbursement rate, they are exacerbating the access problem that they moan so much about and pass such goofy rules to correct, when the solution is right before their eyes?! CanÍt they see that by putting a yearly $500 cap on Medicaid reimbursement, they are hideously increasing the access problem? CanÍt they see that the clear solution is to use the sick tax money that they confiscate from us and our patients to increase payments to dentists who are generous enough to treat the poor? CanÍt they see how they are affecting rural dentistry just at a time when we are facing looming shortages of dentists? CanÍt they see that the majority of children in many small towns are covered by state-sponsored dental programs? CanÍt they see that there is an epidemic of rampant caries in poor children due to soda pop in the schools and everywhere else?
CanÍt they see that after 30 years of faithful service, as of Jan. 1, 2004, they will have driven me from the role of Medicaid provider?
CanÍt they see, dear Lord, canÍt they see?
Dr. Stein is Executive Editor of Northwest Dentistry. He is a general dentist in private practice in Aitkin, Minnesota, AitkinDent@aol.com
Copyright 2003. Minnesota Dental Association
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