Federal Government Shuts Down Over Healthcare Policy

At 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1, the federal government shut down due to Congress’s inability to approve a budget bill. The shutdown will result in the temporary suspension of many government programs and furlough of approximately 40 percent of federal government staff. 

Healthcare spending is at the center of the budget disagreements. Democrats’ primary demand is an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. Republicans claim that Democrats’ demands would fund healthcare for undocumented immigrants. 

ASDA will continue to update members on healthcare negotiations and how the shutdown may affect dental students. 

Student Loan Forgiveness Resumes, Delays Still Expected

Last week, the Department of Education (DOE) announced it will resume forgiveness for qualifying borrowers enrolled in the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan. Forgiveness was previously paused due to legal challenges. Borrowers who have made payments for 25 years through the plan can still expect processing delays during the ongoing government shutdown. 

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recently filed a federal claim against the DOE arguing that ongoing delays of granting student loan forgiveness is “unwarranted and unlawful.” On Oct. 3, the AFT amended its complaint to argue that the DOE is also illegally restricting forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans like the IBR, Income-Contingent Repayment and Pay as You Earn programs. 

As of Aug. 31, the backlog for borrowers due to receive forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program totaled over 74,500.  

Beginning in January 2026, loan forgiveness will once again be treated as taxable income with the expiration of the American Rescue Plan. 

New York City Bill Seeks to Ban Fluoride in America's Largest City

In New York City, a new bill, Int. No. 1379, seeks to ban fluoride from the city’s public water system. Members of organized dentistry have published expert opinions and sent letters to NYC representatives urging them to ensure all New Yorkers receive the full benefits of fluoridated water. Read more from the New York State Dental Association.

ASDA supports the use of fluoride as a safe evidence-based local and systemic therapy in the prevention of tooth decay, according to its interim

I-1 policy. 

MAHA Report Suggests Need for Further Research on Fluoride

On Sept. 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the Make Our Children Healthy Again (MAHA) Strategy. The MAHA Strategy stated that the Environmental Protection Agency and National Institutes of Health will review scientific research on fluoride to inform national fluoride recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report goes on to say that the CDC and U.S. Department of Agriculture will educate Americans on the use of fluoride, including appropriate levels and topical uses from toothpaste. 

Brands Modify Toothpaste Labeling for Kids

Beginning in November, major producers of children’s toothpaste products will change their packaging after pressure from politicians. In May, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Colgate and Procter & Gamble (makers of Crest), claiming their packaging did not provide specific instructions for appropriate toothpaste amounts for kids.

The new packing from Colgate, Tom’s of Maine and Hello will list “safe, age-appropriate amounts of toothpaste” for children under six, according to Paxton on Sept. 13. 

• Georgia's Medicaid program, Pathways to Coverage, received a one-year extension to implement work requirements. The state also requested to modify the reporting frequency to annually instead of monthly. Read more. 
  
• Indiana's Medicaid work requirements were postponed due to misalignment with Medicaid provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Read more. 
  
• North Carolina and Idaho recently cut Medicaid reimbursement rates by 3% and 4%, respectively. 
  
• Oregon recently upped its Medicaid reimbursement rate to an average of 10.2% after pressure from coordinated care organizations threatened to withdraw from the Oregon Health Plan. Read more. 
  
• Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers in the state. Read more.