MN HF1296

Establishes a critical access dental infrastructure program administered by the commissioner of health to provide grants and forgivable loans to critical access dental providers for eligible dental infrastructure projects.

Defines eligible dental infrastructure as physical clinic infrastructure (operations, clinical spaces, HVAC, mechanical systems, and equipment) or mobile dental equipment for hub-and-spoke service delivery models.

Requires eligible projects to be proposed by critical access dental providers and must maintain or expand capacity to serve Minnesota health care program enrollees.

Directs the commissioner to evaluate applications based on whether projects ensure continued service to Minnesota health care program enrollees or increase the number or clinical complexity of enrollees served.

Appropriates $20,000,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2024 for the program, available until June 30, 2026.