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Groups Want Soda Tax to Pay for Dental Care
The Healthy Smiles campaign wants state lawmakers to pass a tax on soda, with the money going to help low-income Illinois residents gain dental care. A proposed 5 percent tax on soda would net nearly $46 million, and pull down the same amount in federal money, according to a proponent, State Rep. David Miller (D-Dolton), who is a dentist.

One mother, Christina Simms of Mount Carmel, says this program would greatly help her children. She's a single mother of four. She says Head Start had to help her find dental care for her 3-year old son, who has autism. They had to cross five counties to a provider in Alton who was willing to take her son, who is on Medicaid.

Miller and Simms say because the state doesn't fully reimburse Medicaid claims, and pays them so late, few dentists are willing to take on more Medicaid patients. Miller says with about $94 million in new dollars from the soda tax and federal money, Illinois could pay more to dentists.

The three-point plan calls for:

* Increased state funding to attract more Medicaid money
* Funding the opening of 10 dental clinics
* Dental student loan incentive programs for dentists who stay in Illinois.

For more information about the campaign, and to see a map of underserved areas in Illinois, CLICK HERE.

(Illinois Radio Network)
03 29 09 by Newsroom
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