As Congress reconvenes this week following its August recess, lawmakers face critical deadlines, including the need to fund the federal government beyond September 30 in order to avoid a government shutdown. Several funding bills remain under committee consideration, including the House’s proposed appropriations bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies is set to mark up the bill on September 2, which would provide for a discretionary spending level of $108 billion for HHS, approximately $7 billion (6 percent) below the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 enacted level. The Senate’s bill, on the other hand, is starkly different and proposes a modest increase in overall funding. The Senate and House bills include $521 million and $525 million for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, respectively. Overall, the likelihood of a Continuing Resolution (CR), which would temporarily extend current funding levels while negotiations continue, is growing. 

Furthermore, several federal health programs are set to expire in September without Congressional action. This includes the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII dental and oral health programs, which support training and placement of health professionals in underserved and rural areas, including postdoctoral dental residency programs.

Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD continues to monitor the federal appropriations process and strongly supports the reauthorization of Title VII programs to ensure continued support for dental education and access to care in underserved communities.