Thomas Daschle: “I note with pleasure that both the Senate and House reports accompanying the Labor/HHS appropriations bills reflect…”

“I note with pleasure that both the Senate and House reports accompanying the Labor/HHS appropriations bills reflect strong support for community water fluoridation in preventing tooth decay among children. These reports clearly state that we can both save money and improve children's health through fluoridation. Tooth decay remains the single most common disease of childhood and is highest in low-income children. Millions of Medicaid dollars currently used to repair these children's teeth could be saved through fluoridation. After 50 years, water fluoridation remains the hallmark public health preventive intervention. In my own State of South Dakota, water supplies for communities as small as 500 persons are fluoridated. It is my hope to extend similar benefit to children throughout the country. Both the House and Senate reports direct the Department of Health and Human Services to support implementation plans for additional community water fluoridation. The House provides $1,000,000 for this effort while the Senate directs the Department to fund this effort at a level no less than last year. Unfortunately, last year the Department allocated only $200,000 for this purpose, which did not meet the need. It is my hope that the conferees will be able to provide sufficient resources in the conference report to address this serious problem.”