HR0074 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0074 LRB103 30818 MST 57314 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The average dental school graduate owes over $290,000 in debt by the time they enter the workforce; and

WHEREAS, During 2020, it was found that the average Illinoisan made $62,930 and that the average rural Illinoisan made only $47,449; and

WHEREAS, The aging of populations in rural communities makes it more difficult for essential businesses to remain open, forcing people to move away from rural areas and into cities, where necessary businesses are much closer; and

WHEREAS, Rural flight is a documented phenomenon wherein people, who have lived in rural areas for most if not all of their entire life, move to cities for higher wages, easier work, proximity to necessities, and access to education; and

WHEREAS, Rural communities are not immune to inflation caused by worker shortages spurred by people fleeing their communities; and

WHEREAS, The field of dentistry is only sustainable as long as there are enough people nearby who are in need of services; and

WHEREAS, The federal government has many social welfare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, that provide healthcare to over 20% of individuals in rural communities over the age of 65; and

WHEREAS, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover dental work, leaving the most vulnerable populations at risk for poor oral health and oral diseases, which often leads to additional medical issues; and

WHEREAS, The existence of rural America is at stake, and providing access to dental care for people in these areas could help the communities continue to exist; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the federal government to take action on the issue of rural dental care to save these communities from deteriorating any further; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies be sent to the Senate Finance Committee of the United States Congress, President of the United States Joe Biden, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for their consideration.