SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) announced today that two bills in her health care package have passed the Assembly with bipartisan support.  AB 834, Hayashi’s bill to expand the California Children’s Dental Disease Prevention Program passed on June 5, 2007 with a 76-0 vote.  AB 1226, which streamlines the process to qualify doctors as Medi-Cal providers passed on June 6, 2007 with a vote of 64 to 0.

“Both of these bills will help low-income children and families in California receive the prevention services and health care that they need and deserve,” stated Assemblymember Hayashi.  “I am very pleased to have the support of so many of my colleagues.”

AB 834 will expand a program that provides much needed preventative dental care to low-income school children.  Tooth decay is the number one preventable chronic health problem of children.  According to the 2003 Health Interview Survey, it is estimated that nearly 500,000 children in California missed school in 2003 due to dental problems.

AB 1226 will address the shortage of doctors approved to serve Medi-Cal patients and increase access to health care for California’s working families.

“The Legislature is committed to working together this year to increase access to health care, better serve our children, and save the taxpayers money through prevention,” said Hayashi.  “Both of these bills are a step in that direction.”

Hayashi serves the 18th Assembly District, which includes Dublin, Hayward and San Leandro; all of the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo; most of Castro Valley, Pleasanton and Sunol; as well as a portion of Oakland.