House passes defense bill with ADA-supported dental provisions
The U.S. House of Representatives passed Sept. 10 its version of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes several dental-related provisions supported by the ADA.
The act sets funding parameters for defense-related spending and implements military policy for the Department of Defense and related agencies. Congress views the legislation as a key legislative vehicle and has passed an authorization act annually for the past 64 years.
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act from the House sets total defense discretionary spending at $892.6 billion, including $235 billion for military personnel and health efforts. It authorizes $577 million for the renovation of military hospitals and the construction of new medical facilities and contains a provision to prevent personnel shortages at military treatment facilities.
The House-passed legislation also includes two key provisions aimed at improving dental care for military personnel.
One amendment, introduced by Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, directs the inspector general of the Department of Defense to conduct a study on the accreditation gap among military dental treatment facilities. The fiscal year 2021 act required that all military medical treatment facilities, including dental units, be accredited. However, 39% of military dental clinics remain unaccredited. The amendment would assess the scope of the gap, identify remaining barriers to accreditation and evaluate the resources needed to achieve full compliance with the 2021 mandate.
Successful accreditation efforts are aimed at ensuring the highest possible level of oral health care for the military.
A second provision would waive co-pays and fees for Selected Reserve members enrolled in the TRICARE dental program. This measure is intended to expand access to care, improve oral health outcomes and enhance military readiness among reserve personnel.
The Senate continues its consideration of its own version of the legislation, with a final, unified version of the bill still needing to pass both chambers before becoming law.
