Federal Judge Blocks Implementation of $100,000 H-1B Visa Application Fee
On June 8, 2026, a federal court blocked the Trump Administration from implementing a $100,000 fee for all new H-1B visa applications.
2026
House Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2027 Labor-HHS-Education Bill
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
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
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.
Department of Education Finalizes Changes to Student Loan Rule
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.