Celebrating Excellence in Advocacy Engagement

ASDA Supports Adult Dental Benefits as an Essential Health Benefit

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would reverse a policy through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that allowed states to add dental benefits as essential health benefits for adults. During the public comment period, ASDA submitted a letter to CMS urging the agency to reconsider this policy reversal. Supporting Medicaid coverage for adult dental services is critical in addressing oral healthcare coverage across the U.S.

ASDA also joined members of the Organized Dentistry Coalition in a letter to CMS arguing that this policy reversal not only threatens access to care but is also not aligned with Congress’s intent when it passed the ACA in 2010.

ASDA Joins Letter to Delay Student Loan Changes

Earlier this month, ASDA joined 11 other organizations in a letter urging the Department of Education to delay implementing changes to federal student loans. The letter argues that both institutions and students need additional time to implement the changes, evaluate financial implications and organize resources to address alternative funding options. 

The letter follow the adoption of a new ASDA policy on access to student loans by the 2026 House of Delegates.

Judge Blocks Cancellation of the SAVE Plan 


Late last month, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from several states arguing that the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan is unconstitutional. Republican governors challenged the Biden administration’s SAVE plan earlier this year over some of its terms, such as its faster timeline for receiving forgiveness. Read more from CNBC.

Borrowers enrolled in this plan were placed in forbearance—meaning interest accrues on the loan principle but no payments are due—during the lawsuit. At this time, it is unclear how the Trump administration will respond. The One Big Beautiful Bill passed a measure that would sunset the SAVE program, along with PAYE, ICR and IBR plans by July 2028. ASDA will continue to monitor this issue and keep you informed on any updates to the SAVE program.

ASDA Submits Comments, Joins Letter to EPA on Expedited Fluoride Review

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed an assessment plan to study only the alleged negative effects of water fluoridation. This expedited study is anticipated to inform amendments to the federal guidelines for water fluoridation.



During the public comment period, ASDA sent a letter to the Administration urging that the plan include a peer review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), which is widely regarded as the gold standard for scientific peer review. ASDA requested that the EPA also consider the benefits of fluorie in this study.

ASDA also joined more than 150 organizations in additional comments highlighting the importance of water fluoridation for pediatric patients. Hailed as a top 10 public health achievement of the 20th century, decades of scientific research support fluoride as a safe and cost-effective measure to prevent dental caries.

More States Consider Fluoride Bans

Iowa

In early February, Iowa state Republicans introduced a bill that would prohibit municipalities from adding fluoride to public water systems. House File 2395 was referred to the Iowa House Health and Human Services committee for consideration. Read more.

Tennessee

Tennessee legislators are considering a slew of bills that threaten access to fluoridated water. Senate Bill 2304 and House Bill 2471, the “Tennessee Fluoride-Free Water Act,” looks to ban community water fluoridation and selling bottled water with added fluoride. If passed, the attorney general would be authorized to impose extensive fines.



Another set of companion bills—Senate Bill 0162 and House Bill 2396—similarly prohibit public water system operators from adding fluoride to their water supplies.

• For the first time, the United Nations General Assembly explicitly recognized oral health in the Political Declaration of the Fourth High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases. This reaffirms oral health as essential to overall health. Read more.

• A South Carolina bill seeks to waive certain educational requirements for qualifying international dental faculty members. The bill was passed in the state’s House last year and has moved out of the Senate committee for a full Senate vote. Read more.

• The Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act would establish a 5% annual wealth tax on individuals with a net worth of over $1 billion. The taxes would fund several social service programs, including expanded dental benefits for Medicare recipients. Read more.

• Florida’s legislature is considering a bill that would increase income eligibility for veterans to qualify for the state’s Veterans Dental Program. The state house passed the bill on February 25, and the senate’s vote has not yet been scheduled. Read more.