Federal Government Shutdown Continues
On October 22, 2025, the Senate held its twelfth vote on the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) that would extend current government funding levels through November 21.
Senators Introduce Bill to Expand Health Workforce
On September 30, 2025, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Health Care Workforce Expansion Act, which seeks to address shortages in the health care workforce, including dentistry.
Federal Government Shutdown Continues
The government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, continues as Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse over federal funding. On October 9, 2025, the Senate failed for the seventh time to advance legislation to end the shutdown.
Trump Administration Announces New H-1B Work Visa Restrictions
On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation entitled, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, introducing significant changes to the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. Under the proclamation, all H-1B petitions submitted after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on September 21, 2025, must include a payment of $100,000.
FTC Announces Workshop on Noncompete Agreements
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced it will host a workshop entitled, Moving Forward: Protecting Workers from Anticompetitive Noncompete Agreements. The workshop, hosted by FTC’s Labor Task Force, will feature remarks from FTC Commissioners, as well as discussions with policy experts, economists, advocates, and individuals affected by noncompete agreements.
Government Shutdown Grows More Likely as Funding Deadline Approaches
The federal government is currently operating under a continuing resolution (CR) passed in March 2025 that funds the government through September 30, 2025. Unless Congress passes an annual appropriations act or an interim continuing resolution by that date, the government will shut down on October 1.
HHS Releases Make America Healthy Again Strategy Report
On September 9, 2025, HHS released its Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, outlining over 120 initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of childhood chronic diseases.
House Appropriations Committee Approves FY 2026 HHS Spending Bill
On September 9, 2025, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, HHS, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill provides a total of $108 billion in discretionary funding for HHS, approximately six percent below the FY 2025 enacted level, and proposes a $456 million reduction in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
White House Announces Dismissal of CDC Director
On August 27, 2025, Dr. Susan Monarez was dismissed from her role as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director by the White House. Her termination came less than a month after her confirmation by the Senate and was reportedly triggered by her refusal to implement directives that she and her attorneys described as “unscientific” and “reckless.”
Congress Returns from August Recess
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.
TEETH Act Introduced in House of Representatives
On July 21, 2025, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO-05), alongside Representatives Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Cleo Fields (D-LA-06), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Don Davis (D-NC), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), introduced the Protect Our Treatment for Enamel, Erosion, and Tooth Health (TEETH) Act.
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves FY 2026 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill
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.
AGD Advocates at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Meeting
On August 5th and 6th Legislative and Governmental Affairs Chair Dr. Richard Huot and AGD Manager, Government Relations, Jay Fisher spoke with state legislators from around the country at the annual NCSL Summit in Boston.
Susan Monarez Sworn in as CDC Director
On July 31, 2025, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Dr. Susan Monarez, was sworn in by Secretary Kennedy. The Senate confirmed her nomination on July 29, 2025, by a vote of 51-47.
FDA Holds Meeting on Ingestible Fluoride Use in Children
On July 23, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with the Reagan-Udall Foundation, held a meeting to consider the clinical use and safety concerns associated with orally ingestible unapproved prescription drug products containing fluoride for the pediatric population.
U.S. House Hearing on Medicare Advantage
On July 22, 2025, the U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means, Health and Oversight Subcommittees held a joint hearing entitled, Medicare Advantage: Past Lessons, Present Insights, Future Opportunities.
CMS Releases Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
On July 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its Calendar Year (CY) 2026 proposed rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). In the proposed rule, CMS proposed changes to the physician payment conversion factor and included other key updates that impact primary care and Medicare services.
AGD Participates in the American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Meeting
From July 17th through 19th Dr. Gordon Isbell, DMD, MAGD and AGD staff attended the Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC is a national organization of state legislators dedicated to free markets, limited government and federalism.
Senate HELP Committee to Vote on CDC Nominee Susan Monarez
On July 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination of Dr. Susan Monarez to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
President Trump Signs Reconciliation Bill into Law
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law a reconciliation bill that enacts significant changes to federal health care programs and tax policy. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) passed the U.S. Senate on July 1 with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote before being passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 3 by a vote of 218-214.