On February 25, 2025, the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution in a 217-215 vote. Unlike the Senate’s two reconciliation bill approach with their first bill focusing on border security, defense and energy policies, the House is pursuing a single reconciliation bill approach. The House budget resolution therefore is all-inclusive and covers extending expiring tax policies and implementing new tax cuts in addition to policies impacting border security, energy, defense, and likely health care. Specifically, the House budget resolution includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, as well as a $4 trillion increase to the national debt ceiling. The House budget resolution will have to be reconciled with the Senate’s version so that both chambers are operating under the same set of instructions. While no specific health care policies have been proposed thus far by either chamber, it is believed that Medicaid savings will likely be targeted.   

Impact on General Dentistry: The House budget resolution calls for at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, including a minimum of $880 billion in cuts under the discretion of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Many believe that the Committee’s recommended cuts could impact Medicaid and Medicare Part B, though it remains to be seen how the Senate will respond to the House’s budget resolution directives.