AGD Capitol Connections

On January 7, 2025, Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) was named Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee for the 119th Congress, a key position overseeing more than 50 percent of federal spending with jurisdiction over federal tax policy; federal social safety net and health care programs, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; and implementation of foreign trade agreements.

On January 20th Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, beginning his second term. Shortly after taking office, President Trump signed a multitude of executive orders and national proclamations, including actions to strengthen border security, increase domestic energy production, and reduce the size of the federal workforce.

On January 6, 2025, JAMA Pediatrics released a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis entitled, Fluoride Exposure and Children’s IQ Scores. This review of 74 international studies on the effects of fluoridation in water concluded that most of the studies associated drops in children’s IQ with increasing levels of fluoridation in water.

On December 20, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government at Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 levels through March 14, 2025.

The AGD Advocacy Fund supports national and constituent advocacy efforts by providing resources to tackle new matters, such as legislation or legal action affecting the practice of general dentistry.

In 2025, all fifty state legislatures will be in session. Montana, Nevada, North Dakota and Texas only meet in odd-numbered years. The 2024 election resulted in only a small change in partisan control in the state capitols.

On November 22, 2024, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), current Ranking Member and expected Chairman next Congress of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2024, which would strengthen cybersecurity requirements in the health care sector.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Dr. Oz, a physician and former television personality, is expected to bring a focus on preventive health and holistic care to CMS if confirmed.

President-elect Donald Trump has officially nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary. Kennedy, an environmental advocate with well-known suspicions regarding vaccine safety and efficacy, has called for increased transparency and restructuring of federal health agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Join this free, two-half day virtual event to gain insights into the current legislative and regulatory landscape and how they are affecting your practice or could in the future. Hear from AGD leaders on issues they are tracking and learn how you can make a difference at the state and federal levels.

On October 18, 2024, Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and Deputy Administrator Dan Tsai urging the agency to address the critical shortage of addiction medicine specialists in the U.S. to improve access to substance use disorder (SUD) services for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) patients, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

On October 30, 2024, the AGD sent a letter to House and Senate Leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, including House Subcommittee Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Senate Subcommittee Chair Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), House Subcommittee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Senate Subcommittee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

On October 10, 2024, Premier Inc. released survey data indicating that more than 86 percent of providers are facing an IV fluid shortage, with over half of respondents possessing a 10-day supply or less.

On October 9, 2024, the Academy of General Dentistry, along with other organizations, sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressing support for the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4531 / S. 3393).

On September 26, 2024, the Biden Administration released new guidance on Medicaid and CHIP coverage for children. This comprehensive guidance, the most detailed Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) framework released in a decade, highlights best practices and strategies for states to meet Medicaid’s EPSDT requirements.

On September 25, 2024, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR), H.R. 9747, to maintain federal funding through December 20, 2024, which the Senate passed shortly thereafter.

On September 9, 2024, Congress returned to session following a six-week summer recess, and now must reach an agreement in the coming days to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.

On August 20, 2024, a federal district court judge in Texas struck down the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) rule banning noncompete clauses in employment agreements.

In late July AGD exhibited at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Annual Meeting in Denver. ALEC brings together legislators from around the country who support free markets, limited government and federalism.

On August 16, 2024, AGD wrote to House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5), advocating against the proposed restructuring of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).