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American Dental Education Association

Volume 3, No. 91, July 24, 2025

ED and HHS Notify Harvard University’s Accreditors of Title VI Violations

 

On July 9, 2025, the Trump administration threatened Harvard University’s accreditation status. This action follows by the Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which alleged that Harvard violated federal antidiscrimination law by failing to adequately protect Jewish and Israeli students, thus potentially falling short of accreditation standards. The accusation stems from a recent investigation by the Office of Civil Rights within HHS, which determined that Harvard breached Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

 

In response, the federal agencies formally notified Harvard’s accrediting body, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), of the potential violation. While NECHE acknowledged receipt of the notification, it that the federal government does not have the authority to revoke a university’s accreditation. Institutions found noncompliant with NECHE standards are typically given up to four years to address the issues. Harvard is not scheduled for a full accreditation review until 2027, suggesting any final decision on its status may take years to unfold.

 

U.S. Sen. Alsobrooks Introduces Bill to Expand Dental Coverage Under Medicare and Medicaid

 

On July 7, U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) introduced This legislation was originally introduced by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, who represented the State of Maryland in the U.S. Senate from 2007 to 2025. Cardin, a Democrat, worked tirelessly to advance this legislation. Now that he has retired, Alsobrooks is committed to continuing his efforts to see the bill passed.

 

Specifically, the bill would:

  • Amend the Social Security Act to include Medicare coverage for routine cleanings, exams, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, emergency care, hearing aids, eye exams and more. It would be phased in gradually to 80% coverage over eight years.
  • Encourage states to provide their optional dental, hearing and vision services to people with Medicaid by increasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) rate to 90%.

The bill is part of a larger package introduced by Senate Democrats designed to strengthen and invest in Medicaid. This legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Peter Welch (D-VT).

 

Connecticut Affirms Commitment to Fluoridated Community Water

 

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) that eliminates the state’s dependence on the federal government for establishing minimum and maximum levels of fluoride in community water. Specifically, the legislation removes language that ties the state’s minimum and maximum levels of fluoride to recommendations established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and instead requires community water in the state to maintain the level currently recommended by HHS, 0.7 mg/l.

 

Community water fluoridation has recently been by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who earlier this year said he would instruct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending the addition of fluoride to community water. Gov. Lamont against possible changes the federal government may make to the recommendations.

 

CMS Sends Letters Stating Agency Will No Longer Approve Medicaid Waivers for Continuous Eligibility or Employment-related Programs

 

On July 17, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sent letters to states stating the agency does not anticipate approving or extending waivers that would allow states to use Medicaid funds for of enrollees or , such as student loan repayment, or for workforce training to recruit and retain providers.

 

Continuous eligibility programs allow enrollees to remain enrolled in their state’s programs during a predetermined period, even if the enrollee experienced fluctuation in income. Waivers for continuous enrollment have been granted to 12 states. CMS’s reasoning provided in the letter focused on cost savings and stated that these programs allow individuals to remain enrolled in Medicaid, even when they may not qualify or have other options for insurance.

 

Workforce training programs could operate similarly to the in New York, which established student loan repayment for health care professionals, including dentists, who committed to providing care to at least 30% Medicaid or uninsured populations. The program also worked toward building the allied health care workforce by “funding training and education focused on career advancement and unemployed individuals.” According to the letter, five states have been granted waivers to focus on these types of programs. CMS stated that the elimination of these types of waivers “reinforces statutory boundaries, enhances oversight, and ensures taxpayer-funded benefits go only to those who meet eligibility requirements so that we can prioritize funding for our most vulnerable citizens.”

 

This continues a trend of CMS refocusing the types of waivers they will approve under the Trump administration. , the agency issued letters stating they would no longer approve or extend waivers that support rural broadband initiatives or student loan repayments.

 

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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