1. 1. The Committee shall:

   a) Develop recommendations for (i) patient education concerning dental health, (ii) initiatives to recruit additional dental providers and (iii) initiatives to increase the acceptance of new Medicaid patients by participating providers.

   b) Evaluate the Medicaid dental fee schedule increases that were adopted on June 1, 2000 and April 1, 2001, and the dental fee schedule increases to be adopted on April 1, 2002; and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Health for the 12 month period commencing April 1, 2003.

   c) Evaluate and make appropriate recommendations concerning any impact of dental fee increases on the provision of dental services in Medicaid managed care plans and Child Health Plus plans.

2. 2. The Committee shall meet as often as necessary to accomplish its objectives and at least bi- monthly during its first six months of existence.
3. 3. The members of the Committee shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.

4. 4. The Committee shall remain in existence until March 31, 2004.

   Signed: George E. Pataki Dated: March 4, 2002

WHEREAS, the State of New York, pursuant to Title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act, has adopted a State plan for the provision of medical assistance, including medically necessary dental care, to those of its citizens who are unable to pay for such care from their own resources;

WHEREAS, the State of New York desires to improve access to medically necessary dental care, especially for children; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a Medicaid Dental Advisory Committee may assist the Commissioner of Health in improving access to dental services by Medicaid recipients.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby establish the Medicaid Dental Advisory Committee. The Committee shall consist of eight members appointed by the Governor, four of whom shall be recommended by the New York State Dental Association and four of whom shall be recommended by the New York State Department of Health.