Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act
Bill includes ADA-supported dental accreditation provision
The U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 17, clearing the annual defense policy bill for the president’s signature after the House approved the measure last week. The bill includes an ADA-supported provision that aims to promote consistent accreditation standards for dental treatment facilities serving service members.
The legislation authorizes defense spending levels and establishes policy for the Department of Defense and related agencies. It is one of Congress’ few “must-pass” legislative vehicles and has been enacted for 64 consecutive years.
The fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act authorizes $901 billion in defense spending. The measure also includes several provisions affecting military health care, including a section addressing accreditation of military dental treatment facilities that the ADA strongly supported throughout the entire legislative process.
Section 735 of the bill, sponsored by Rep. Brian Babin, D.D.S., R-Texas, directs the Department of Defense inspector general to examine potential accreditation gaps within military dental treatment facilities. Under the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, all military medical treatment facilities — including dental units — are required to be accredited.
The inspector general review would assess the extent of any remaining gaps, identify obstacles to accreditation and evaluate the resources needed to achieve full compliance with the 2021 mandate. The provision is intended to support consistent standards of care across dental facilities. The House previously passed a version of this legislation Sept. 10, and the ADA engaged in bicameral advocacy efforts to ensure the accreditation provision remained in the final version of the bill.
The latest legislation also includes Section 717, which requires the secretary of defense to submit plans to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees outlining how each military department will prioritize assignment of active-duty medical and dental personnel to military medical treatment facilities. The provision is aimed at addressing staffing shortages, meeting patient needs and maintaining standards of care. The ADA has not taken a formal position on that section.
The National Defense Authorization Act will now be sent to the White House, for the president’s consideration.
