ADA Joins Nationwide Push to Block Deep Cuts to Public Health in 2026 Budget

The American Dental Association (ADA) has joined a coalition of more than 500 organizations urging Congress to reject the Trump administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget for the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The draft budget recommends a 30% cut to discretionary HHS funding, a move the coalition warns would jeopardize the nation’s ability to respond to pressing health issues. Programs under threat include those focused on infectious disease control, chronic illness management, mental health and substance use treatment, veteran care, and more.

For dentists, the stakes are high. The proposed cuts could impact federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Indian Health Service, all of which support research, workforce development, and care access critical to oral health. The coalition letter highlights the importance of investing in public health infrastructure rather than dismantling it, emphasizing the long-term risks to both patients and providers. Click here to read more.