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American Dental Education Association


Volume 3, No. 93, August 6, 2025

ADEA Advocate on Hiatus During August Recess
 
The ADEA Advocate will pause publication during the congressional August recess. We will resume our regular weekly editions in September. In the meantime, if you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the ADEA Advocacy and Government Relations team at [email protected]. [ mailto:[email protected] ]

Senate Funding Committee Reports HHS and Higher Education Bill
 
On July 31, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations reported its Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for fiscal year (FY) 2026, which begins on Oct. 1. Despite President Trump’s request to end all federal funding for health profession education and several higher education programs, the Committee funded most of them at the current year’s funding level and thus rejected his requests.
 
The programs of most interest to oral health education were all funded at their current funding level, as noted in the table below.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) received an increase of $400 million and maintained the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) as an independent and separate entity, despite the President’s budget proposal to consolidate it with two other Institutes.
The Committee report commended NIDCR for establishing Advancing Head and Neck Cancer Early Detection Research (AHEAD) to accelerate translational and clinical research on early detection of head and neck cancers.
The Committee report also stated, “The Committee reaffirms that dental care is integral to the medical management of numerous diseases and medical conditions and that the lack of medically necessary oral healthcare heightens the risk of costly medical complications.
The Committee appreciates NIH’s support for research that has demonstrated that dental care is closely linked to and crucial to the clinical success of other covered medical services.”
 
The Committee also had this to say about the Health Care Training for Diversity Programs: “Training for Diversity—The Committee supports programs that improve the diversity of the healthcare workforce. HRSA’s diversity pipeline programs help advance patient care and ensure opportunity for all healthcare providers.”
 
Below is a brief table summarizing the Senate Committee’s recommendations.

*Of which, $13,000,000 each is provided for Residencies in Pediatric & General Dentistry.
 
There are reports that the Trump administration has reversed its days’ old decisions to pause $15 billion in NIH research grants for a “programmatic review.” There is still confusion about what was included and when funds will begin to flow again. ADEA will report on any additional action as it is warranted. Because the ADEA Advocate will be on hiatus during the congressional August recess, please watch ADEA Connect for any further information.

U.S. Senate Confirms the First Nonmedical Doctor Since 1953 as CDC Director
 
The U.S. Senate voted 51-47 along party lines to confirm [ [link removed] ] President Trump’s nominee, Susan Monarez, Ph.D., as the new Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Monarez, a veteran public health official who had been serving as Acting CDC Director, will now oversee the nation’s response to public health threats under the leadership of Robert F.
Kennedy Jr., Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary and a longtime critic of vaccine safety.
During her confirmation hearing, Dr.
Monarez acknowledged her differences with Kennedy on the issue, stating she had seen no credible evidence linking vaccines to autism and pledging to make vaccine availability a priority.
 
Dr. Monarez is the first CDC Director without a medical degree since 1953. Instead, she holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where her research focused on diagnostic and preventive technologies for infectious diseases. While she expressed respect for Kennedy’s leadership, she made efforts to distance herself from some of his controversial views, seeking to reassure lawmakers of her commitment to evidence-based public health policy.
 
Her appointment comes as the White House is seeking to cut CDC’s budget by $3.6 billion, leaving it with a $4 billion budget. Kennedy is also enacting a layoff plan that calls for HHS to cut thousands of employees.

FDA Orders Major Changes to Opioid Labeling
 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring safety labeling changes [ [link removed] ] to all opioid pain medications to better emphasize and explain the risks associated with their long-term use. The impetus behind this change is twofold.
First, the changes reflect recent reviews of data focusing on the serious impact of long-term opioid use. Second, the FDA hopes that this improved labeling will support more informed decision-making by doctors and patients.
 
The FDA is requiring the following label changes:
 • Clearer Risk Information: Labels will include a summary of study results showing the estimated risks of addiction, misuse and overdose during long-term use.
 • Dosing Warnings: Labels will offer stronger warnings that higher doses come with greater risks, and that those risks remain overtime.
 • Clarified Use Limits: Labels will remove language which could be misinterpreted to support using opioid pain medications over indefinitely long durations.
 • Treatment Guidance: Labels will reinforce that long-acting or extended-release opioids should only be considered when other treatments, including shorter-acting opioids, are inadequate.
 • Safe Discontinuation: Labels will include a reminder not to stop opioids suddenly in patients who may be physically dependent, as it can cause serious harm.
 • Overdose Reversal Agents: Labels will provide additional information on medicines that can reverse an opioid overdose.
 • Drug Interactions: Labels will offer enhanced warnings about combining opioids with other drugs that slow down the nervous system, such as gabapentinoids.
 • More Risks with Overdose: Labels will include new information about toxic leukoencephalopathy, a serious brain condition that may occur after an overdose.
 • Digestive Health: Labels will provide updates about opioid-related problems with the esophagus.

The companies will have 30 days to submit their labeling updates to the FDA for review.

Congressional Bill Seeks to End H-1B Cap Exemption for Higher Education Institutions
 
On July 25, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) introduced in the House of Representatives the Colleges for the American People Act (CAP Act) [ [link removed] ] , which would eliminate a longstanding exemption in the H-1B visa process for higher education institutions.
On July 31, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced [ [link removed] ] a companion bill in the Senate.
 
H-1B visas are nonimmigrant visas that allow U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, requiring at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent expertise. Under the current Immigration and Nationality Act, most H-1B applicants are subject to an annual cap of 65,000 visas, plus an additional 20,000 for holders of U.S. advanced degrees. However, university employees—including faculty, clinical educators, and researchers—are currently exempt from this cap.
 
The CAP Act proposes that new H-1B applicants at these institutions would no longer be exempt, meaning they must compete within the general 65,000 cap. According to a statement [ [link removed] ] issued by Tiffany, the bill would not affect current H-1B holders working at higher education institutions; it would only apply to new applicants moving forward.

Courts Strike Down In-state Tuition for Texas Residents Whose Immigration Status Is Undocumented
 
A 2001 Texas law [ [link removed] ] that allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition was struck down by a federal court [ [link removed] ] on the same day the Trump Administration sued Texas over the law.
The judge presiding over the case ruled in favor of the federal government shortly after a joint motion [ [link removed] ] with the state asked the judge to declare the law unconstitutional.

 
According to a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) official, action in the case moved swiftly because the DOJ communicated [ [link removed] ] the case with the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) before the lawsuit was filed.
 
The ruling went into effect immediately and barred all students who were eligible under the law from paying in-state tuition. Previously, students who were eligible for in-state tuition included all undocumented students who had lived in the state for three years before receiving a diploma. Students who qualified were also required to sign an affidavit stating they would apply to become a permanent U.S. resident as soon as they became eligible.
 
Several civil rights organizations have filed a motion to intervene [ [link removed] ] on behalf of impacted groups. According to the civil rights organizations, “the collusive and speedy manner in which the state of Texas and the federal government entered into their agreement, the Court had no opportunity to consider the question of the constitutionality of the law or hear from the people most impacted by its judgment.”
 
At least 23 additional states [ [link removed] ] have offered in-state tuition for students who are undocumented.

Iowa Governor Files DEI Complaint Against University of Iowa
 
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) launched an investigation [ [link removed] ] into the University of Iowa after Gov.
Kim Reynolds (R) filed a complaint alleging that the university was in violation of the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at institutions of higher education.
The complaint was filed after the surfacing of a secretly recorded university employee describing ways staff at the university get around the DEI ban.
The university’s Board of Regents has voiced support for the investigation.
 
Iowa’s higher education DEI ban went into effect on July 1. [ [link removed] ] Similar laws [ [link removed] ] that ban all or nearly all DEI initiatives have been passed in Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Kansas Increases Medicaid Dental Reimbursement Rates
 
On July 1, a significant increase in reimbursement rates for dental services provided to patients enrolled in Kansas’ Medicaid program took effect. According to Pathways to Oral Health [ [link removed] ] , a Kansas-based group that focuses on expanding access to dental care and oral health education for individuals with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicaid, the increased rates are as follows:
 • Exams increased by 50%.
 • Cleanings, scaling and root planning increased by 35%.
 • X-rays and composite fillings increased by 20%.
 • All other services increased by 10%.

While the rates are still not on par with those provided by private insurance, advocates in the state are hopeful this increase will encourage more oral health providers to participate in the program. Currently, only 30% of the state’s dentists participate in Medicaid.
 
This increase continues Kansas’ commitment to increasing services for Medicaid enrollees. In 2022 and 2023, the state increased services offered to adults [ [link removed] ] enrolled in Medicaid.

National Health Service Corps Webinar on Student Debt
 
Join the National Health Service Corps [ [link removed] ] for a webinar entitled, "Crush Med School Debt." This event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. E.T.
 
Register to Attend Here [ [link removed] ]

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

Key Federal Issues [ [link removed] ]

ADEA U.S. Interactive Legislative and Regulatory Tracking Map [ [link removed] ]

Key State Issues [ [link removed] ]

The ADEA Advocate [ [link removed] ] 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.
 
©2025
American Dental Education Association
655 K Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202-289-7201
Website: www.adea.org [ [link removed] ]

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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
 
Jema Stubblefield
ADEA Senior Manager of State Relations and Advocacy
 
Colin Donnelly, M.P.S
ADEA Legislative Analyst
 
Contact Us:
[email protected] [ mailto:[email protected] ]

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