House Passes FY2021 Minibus Funding Package

  • by AGD Washington Advocacy Representative
  • Aug 12, 2020
On July 31, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a second minibus FY2021 appropriations package that provided funding for Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy & Water Development, Financial Services & General Government, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-HUD (H.R.7617).

Within the division allocated to Health and Human Services Department funding, lawmakers provided appropriations for General Dentistry Residency Programs, the Dental Faculty Loan Repayment programs and HRSA's oral health literacy awareness and education campaign. These included provisions align with those requested by AGD in a June 15 letter that was sent to the leadership of key House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees. 

A Senate version of FY2021 funding legislation is still pending release, which will be the next step in the annual appropriations process. With Congress still focused on an additional COVID-19 relief bill, the appropriations process is expected to be significantly delayed, and short term funding extensions may be applied before a final funding package is enacted.

Impact on General Dentistry: AGD is pleased that the House FY2021 appropriations package provides funding for key oral health policy provisions. The AGD regularly works with relevant appropriations subcommittees to safeguard government programs that improve the nation's oral health and the practice of general dentistry, and will continue to do so through the FY2021 appropriations process.