On July 31, 2025, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations held a full committee markup of the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which includes significant investments in public health, education, and workforce development. The bill allocates $116.6 billion to HHS, a $446 million increase from FY 2025, and preserves funding for key public health programs. The bill rejects the Trump Administration’s proposed 40 percent cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), instead increasing NIH funding by $400 million. It also excludes the proposed establishment of the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), a central component of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s reorganization plan. 
 
The legislation allocates over $42 million for Training in Oral Health Care Programs, including $13 million for General Dentistry Programs. It also includes $300,000 to support the development of an oral health awareness and education campaign through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). In its report on the bill, the Committee urged the NIH to fund additional research on oral care interventions that improve disease management and reduce hospitalizations. 
 
The full committee advanced the bill by a vote of 26-3. The House Appropriations Committee is expected to markup its Labor, HHS, Educations Appropriations bill in September.
 
The House and Senate must either reconcile their differences in their respective appropriations bills or enact a continuing resolution by September 30th in order to avoid a government shutdown.  
 
The bill text can be found here. The bill report can be found here.
 
Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD continues to monitor the federal appropriations process and welcomes the Senate Appropriations Committee’s call for investment in oral health training and literacy campaigns. If enacted, these investments could strengthen the dental workforce and expand access to preventive care in underserved communities.