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.
Capitol Connections
AGD is addressing the most pressing issues faced by our members by advocating to government entities for general dentists.
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.
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.
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.
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.
EPA Announces Preliminary Plan for Fluoride Health Assessment
On January 22, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a notice entitled, Review of Science on Fluoride in Drinking Water: Preliminary Assessment Plan and Literature Survey, seeking public comment on its plan to develop a toxicity assessment that will review scientific information on the potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water.