AGD Capitol Connections

Dr. Jonathan Burke Selected as Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Sep 24, 2026

On September 18, 2026, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., announced the appointment of Jonathan E. Burke, D.M.D., to serve as director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

H.R. 7945, the Nitrous Oxide Safety Act of 2026 Favorably Reported by House Energy and Commerce Committee

Sep 24, 2026

On September 16, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a Full Committee markup of legislation to enhance American technological development and strengthen communications networks.

Senate Committees Hold Confirmation Hearings for Trump Administration HHS Nominee Chris Klomp

Sep 24, 2026

On September 15 and 16, 2026, the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate HELP Committee examined the nomination of Mr. Chris Klomp to serve as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Considers H.R. 1521, the Dental and Optometric Care Access Act of 2025

Sep 24, 2026

On September 15, 2026, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on health held a hearing entitled, Examining Legislative Proposals to Reform Medicare Provider Payment and Bolster Health Care Cybersecurity.

FDA Releases Final Guidance for Dental Devices

Sep 10, 2026

On September 1, 2026, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of two final guidance entitled, Dental Composite Resin Devices--Premarket Notification (510(k)) Submissions and Dental Curing Lights--Premarket Notification (510(k)) Submissions.

U.S. House Follows Senate in Advancing Fiscal Year 2027 Continuing Resolution

Sep 10, 2026

On September 1, 2026, the House of Representatives voted on a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through December 11, 2026.

August District Work Period: Congressional Member Engagement Guide

Aug 13, 2026

With Congress currently in its August district work period, lawmakers are back in their home states and districts meeting with constituents and participating in local events.

CDC Director, Attorney General Nominees Confirmed

Aug 13, 2026

On August 5, 2026, the Senate voted to confirm Dr. Erica Schwartz as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director by a vote of 51-44, with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joining Senate Republicans in support.

U.S. Senate Advances Fiscal Year 2027 Continuing Resolution

Aug 13, 2026

On August 7, 2026, the Senate advanced a Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Continuing Resolution (CR) that would extend government funding at current levels until December 11, 2026, by a vote of 90-6. Notably, the Senate’s CR contains language delaying finalization of OMB’s proposed Uniform Guidance for federal grantmaking for the duration of the CR.

Nitrous Oxide Safety Act Discussed in House Subcommittee Hearing

Aug 4, 2026

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a hearing entitled, Legislative Proposals to Strengthen Consumer Protection in a Changing Marketplace.

CMS Urges the Elimination of Mercury-Containing Dental Fillings

Aug 4, 2026

On July 22, 2026, HHS announced that CMS sent a notification urging every state Medicaid director to phase out the use of mercury-containing dental fillings by restricting or ending their respective state’s Medicaid coverage for dental procedure codes for dental amalgams, a material that combines mercury with other heavy metals to fill cavities.

Senator Alsobrooks, Representative Barragán Introduce Two Bills to Close Gaps in Dental Coverage

Aug 4, 2026

On July 22, 2026, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Representative Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44) introduced two bicameral bills that aim to close gaps in dental coverage across the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid.

The Action for Dental Health Act Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives

Aug 4, 2026

On Monday, July 20, 2026, H.R. 2001, the Action for Dental Health Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, as amended, by a voice vote.

AGD Signs on to the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act

Jul 15, 2026

AGD has signed on as a supporting organization of H.R. 3277 / S. 1677, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA Act). This bill was introduced by Representatives Neal Dunn (R-FL-02) and Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) in the House of Representatives and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) in the Senate.

Fiscal Year 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment (OPPS) Proposed Rule Released

Jul 15, 2026

On July 2, 2026, CMS released a proposed rule entitled, Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; and Quality Reporting Programs; etc. This proposed rule would update the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System for CY 2027.

Illinois Governor Signs the Ins-Dental Coverage Reimbursement Act into Law

Jul 15, 2026

On June 26, 2026, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed H.B. 4464, the Ins-Dental Coverage Reimbursement Act, into law. This legislation was introduced by Illinois State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-17) on January 15, 2026.

Federal Judge Blocks Implementation of $100,000 H-1B Visa Application Fee

Jun 18, 2026

On June 8, 2026, a federal court blocked the Trump Administration from implementing a $100,000 fee for all new H-1B visa applications.

House Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2027 Labor-HHS-Education Bill

Jun 18, 2026

On June 9, 2026, the House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2027 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill by a vote of 34–28. The legislation proposes $189.3 billion in discretionary funding, representing a $5.6 billion, or three percent, decrease from FY 2026 enacted levels, and prioritizes investments in biomedical research, biodefense, and rural health while shifting greater responsibility for education to states.

The Action for Dental Health Act Advanced by House Energy and Commerce Committee

Jun 3, 2026

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Action for Dental Health Act (H.R. 2001) by a unanimous roll call vote.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makaray Resigns

May 21, 2026

On May 12, 2026, the Trump Administration announced that FDA Commissioner Martin Makary would be resigning from his role after 13 months leading the agency.

Department of Health and Human Services Finalizes Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; Basic Health Program Rule.

May 21, 2026

Department of Education Finalizes Changes to Student Loan Rule

May 7, 2026

On April 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education released a final rule which updates federal student loan regulations. The changes implement legislative language enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025.

AGD Continues NCOIL Advocacy for Opt-In Network Leasing Model

May 7, 2026

Dr. Darren Greenwell, Chair of the AGD Legislative and Governmental Affairs Council and Jay Fisher, JD, Manager, Government Relations attended the Spring NCOIL Meeting in Louisville, KY from April 16th to the 18th.

AGD Advocates for Oral Health Policy Priorities on Capitol Hill

May 7, 2026

During the week of April 27, 2026, AGD advocates and leadership traveled to Washington, D.C. to engage policymakers on key dental health issues.

Trump Administration Releases FY 2027 HHS Budget Proposal

Apr 16, 2026

On April 3, 2026, the Trump Administration released its fiscal year (FY) 2027 Budget Proposal. Overall, the HHS Budget-in-Brief proposes $111.1 billion in discretionary budget authority for FY 2027, a decrease of $15.8 billion or 12.5 percent.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Issues Guidance on Limits to Medicaid Funding for Noncitizens

Apr 16, 2026

CMS is preparing states for an upcoming change that will limit the ability to claim federal matching funds for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for individuals who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals.

Trump Administration Establishes Task Force to Eliminate Fraud

Apr 1, 2026

On March 16, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) entitled, Establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

NIH Director Testifies Before House Appropriations Committee

Apr 1, 2026

On March 17, 2026, the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The hearing featured NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., as the sole witness.

FTC Launches Healthcare Task Force

Apr 1, 2026

On March 20, 2026, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Andrew Ferguson issued a memorandum directing the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Bureau of Economics, Office of Policy Planning, and Office of Technology to form a Healthcare Task Force.

Health Committee Ranking Members Urge CMS to Withdraw NBPP Proposed Rule

Mar 19, 2026

On March 11, 2026, House Committee on Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), House Committee on Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA-01), House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), and Senate Committee on Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz expressing opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace.

Improving Dental Administration Act Introduced in Congress

Mar 19, 2026

On March 12, 2026, Representatives Jeff Van Drew, DMD (R-NJ-02) and Herb Conaway (D-NJ-03) introduced the Improving Dental Administration Act of 2026. The legislation would apply state dental insurance reform and patient protection laws to self-funded dental plans and their administrators.

GAO Issues Report on Private Dental and Vision Insurance Markets

Mar 19, 2026

On March 9, 2026, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report entitled, Private Dental and Vision Insurance: Market Concentration Varied Among States.

Trump Administration Announces Actions to Address Health Care Fraud

Mar 4, 2026

On February 25, 2026, Vice President J.D. Vance and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD announced several actions to address Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Surgeon General Nominee Casey Means Testifies Before Senate HELP Committee

Mar 4, 2026

On February 25, 2026, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing entitled, Nomination of Casey Means to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service and Surgeon General of the Public Health Service.

AGD Responds to EPA’s Preliminary Plan for Fluoride Health Assessment

Mar 4, 2026

On February 27, 2026, AGD submitted a comment letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in response to the agency’s notice entitled, Review of Science on Fluoride in Drinking Water: Preliminary Assessment Plan and Literature Survey.

Senators Introduce Bill to Break Up Vertically Integrated Health Care Companies

Feb 18, 2026

On February 10, 2026, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the Break Up Big Medicine Act, which would prohibit companies from owning health care providers while also owning a health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), or prescription drug or medical device wholesaler.

IHS to End Use of Mercury-Containing Dental Amalgam by 2027

Feb 18, 2026

On February 9, 2026, the Indian Health Service (IHS) announced that it would end the use of dental amalgam in its facilities by 2027.

HHS Releases Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027 Proposed Rule

Feb 18, 2026

On February 9, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule entitled, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027 and Basic Health Program.

Partial Government Shutdown Ends

Feb 5, 2026

On February 3, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the remaining five FY2026 appropriations bills, along with a two-week Continuing Resolution (CR) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by a vote of 217-214, bringing to an end a brief partial government shutdown.

Support the AGD Advocacy Fund

Jan 22, 2026

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. The fund accumulates across budgetary cycles, allowing the AGD to act nimbly and substantially when the need arises.

DEA and SAMHSA Extend Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Substances

Jan 22, 2026

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have extended the temporary telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances through December 31, 2026.

House and Senate Release FY 2026 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill

Jan 22, 2026

On January 20, 2026, House and Senate appropriators released a four-bill funding package covering the Defense; Homeland; Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agencies.

AGD Joins NCOIL as a Corporate and Institutional Partner

Jan 7, 2026

In 2026 AGD is joining the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) as a Corporate and Institutional Partner. This allows AGD access to special events during NCOIL meetings and free exhibit space during NCOIL meetings. NCOIL is a very influential organization of state legislators who are involved in insurance reform.

House Passes GOP Health Proposal, Moderate House Republicans Force January Vote on EPTCs

Jan 7, 2026

On December 17, 2025, the House passed H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, a Republican-led proposal to address health care affordability. The bill includes provisions to enhance association health plans, fund cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments, expand eligibility for bronze catastrophic plans, and implement pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms.