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American Dental Education Association

Volume 3, No. 86, June 17, 2025

NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya Testifies on FY 2026 Budget

 

Jayanta Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), appeared before the on June 10. Dr. Bhattacharya, in his , stated that NIH’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget request of $27 billion would help the NIH find “better ways to prevent, treat, and cure chronic diseases.” He also noted that “Research has shown that chronic disease in later life is influenced by exposure to various risk factors during childhood. Biologic, social, and environmental drivers of health each contribute to a person’s risk for disease development.” Additionally, he addressed academic freedom, artificial intelligence and data sharing in his opening statement.

 

During questioning, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), the Labor-Health & Human Services-Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee Ranking Member, criticized the cancelling of 4,000 grants and $4.9 billion in grants since January and expressed concern that it was motivated by political interests, not science. In addition, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Appropriations Committee Chair, criticized the 15% cap on indirect costs as “poorly conceived” and a violation of appropriations law, that expressly prohibits such action. Dr. Bhattacharya defended the Trump administration’s actions in each instance.

 

Other members raised questions regarding Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and opioid addiction research. U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) noted that former Director Dr. Francis Collins advocated for 5% real growth in biomedical research each year to maintain U.S. global leadership in that area. Durbin noted that the NIH FY 2026 budget wipes out the progress made in the last several years toward that goal.

Nevada Legislature Appropriates Funds to UNLV SDM to Create a Cleft and Craniofacial Medical Team

 

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) recently to send $1,314,000 to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine for the creation of a cleft and craniofacial medical team.

 

The legislation requires the team to:

  • Obtain approval as a Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team from the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association;
  • Provide cleft and craniofacial health care services through a clinic that is open at least four hours for at least one day each month, and if the team determines there is a need and that resources are available, at least eight hours for at least two days each month;
  • Provide services to children who are less than three years of age, and if the team determines that resources are available, children with special needs who are at least three years of age but less than 18 years of age; and
  • Establish partnerships with other institutions of higher education in the state and any other organization that may assist the team in complying with the bill.
Louisiana Legislature Sends Bill to Governor to Make Changes to Medicaid Eligibility Determinations

 

The Louisiana State Legislature has to Gov. Jeff Landry (R) that, if signed, would make changes to the way the state determines eligibility for Medicaid enrollment. Specifically, the bill prohibits the state’s Department of Health from accepting eligibility determinations from Affordable Care Act exchanges without independently verifying the information and making a determination. The Department would also be prohibited from relying solely on ex parte renewals, or accepting self-attestation of Louisiana residency, unless required by federal law. Ex parte renewals allow administrative staff to use databases to verify eligibility of enrollees.

 

The bill instead requires the Department to enter into agreements with other state agencies to regularly review death records, employment and income data, data that may concerning disability status, residency data, and incarceration status. Additionally, the Department is allowed to use an enhanced verification platform to detect unreported or underreported income.

 

Supporters of the bill have said the additional verification requirements will help reduce waste, fraud, and abuse of the program, while opponents have argued that additional hurdles could lead to clerical errors that could result in the disenrollment of eligible individuals.

FY2025 Faculty Loan Repayment Program

 

"The provides up to $40,000 in loan repayment assistance. In exchange, you commit to two years of full or part-time service as a faculty member at an eligible health professions school. The application deadline is Thursday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET."

 

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ADEA Advocacy in Action

This appears weekly in the ADEA Advocate to summarize and provide direct links to recent advocacy actions taken by ADEA. Please let us know what you think and how we might improve its usefulness.

 

Issues and Resources

  • ADEA on teledentistry
  • ADEA on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Dental Schools
  • ADEA policy regarding overprescription of antibiotics
  • For a full list of ADEA memos, briefs and letters click .

The is published weekly. Its purpose is to keep ADEA members abreast of federal and state issues and events of interest to the academic dentistry and the dental and research communities.

 

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B. Timothy Leeth, CPA

ADEA Chief Advocacy Officer

 

Bridgette DeHart, J.D.

ADEA Director of Federal Relations and Advocacy

 

Phillip Mauller, M.P.S.

ADEA Senior Director of State Relations and Advocacy

 

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