Ready, Set, Act! ASDA's Inaugural Legislative Action Week

Proposed Rule Implements Changes to Student Loans from the OBBB

The Department of Justice issued a notice of proposed rulemaking at the end of last month to implement changes passed in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill. The Department is proposing rules to establish a $200,000 lifetime borrowing cap for dental programs.



The rule also proposes to phase out the ICR, SAVE, and PAYE income-driven repayment plans. It lays the groundwork for RAP, the administration’s new repayment plan.

ASDA will continue to monitor the issue and its implications for dental students and will keep you informed.

Connecticut Helps Fund Graduate Education


In early January, Connecticut lawmakers announced an expansion of the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) and the establishment of a new program to provide student loans for graduate students. A total of $30 million has been appropriated, divided between state funding and CHESLA.

Lawmakers cited that Connecticut students currently receive $90 million from the Grad PLUS program, which will be terminated on July 1 of this year. 

EPA Announces Public Comment Period for Expedited Fluoride Study

On January 28, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified the public of its plan to undergo an expedited review of community water fluoridation. The study will inform the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) national fluoridation guidelines.

Jess Kramer from the EPA’s Office of Water said that the review will “only focus on potential harmful effects and will not consider beneficial effects.”

ASDA will continue to monitor the issue and keep you informed.

New Study Finds Fluoride Does Not Cause Lower Birth Weight

Researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health published a new study reaffirming the safety of community water fluoridation. The research found that exposure to fluoridated water for pregnant women is not linked to changes in birth weight.

Senior author and professor of Health Policy and Management, Dr. Matthew Neidell, explained that birth weight is widely accepted as a measure of infant health and is indicative of health later in life. Read more about the study here.

Arizona, Kentucky Advance Bills on Community Water Fluoridation

Two states have advanced bills limiting access to fluoride in drinking water.

Arizona SB 1019, which would prohibit adding fluoride to public water supplies, advanced out of the state Senate Committee on Government largely along party lines. The bill now moves to a full Senate vote that has yet to be scheduled. Read more.

Kentucky House Bill 103 was passed out of committee with a 13-5 vote. While not a complete ban, the bill would allow municipalities to decide whether to add fluoride to their public water systems. ASDA will keep you informed as the bill advances to the full House for consideration. Read more.

• A new law in New York will allow dental hygienists to practice independently who are part of collaborative practice agreements with licensed dentists. Read more.

• Idaho Gov. Brad Little's budget plan proposes cutting dental coverage to reduce state Medicaid coverage. If implemented, this would follow a 4% cut to reimbursement rates instituted earlier this year. Read more.

• Lawmakers in Missouri are aiming to codify Medicaid work requirements from the One Big Beautiful Bill into the state constitution. Read more.