H.R. 2001: Action for Dental Health Act
Sponsor
Robin Kelly
Democrat · IL-2
Finding a dentist shouldn't depend on your ZIP code
Why it matters
H.R. 2001 would authorize $75 million over five years to keep a federal dental workforce grant program going. The goal is straightforward: more support for getting dental professionals into places where you may struggle to find care.
H.R. 2001 does not build a new federal dental program from scratch. It extends an existing grant program focused on dental workforce needs and updates its funding level.
The bill would authorize $15 million a year from 2026 through 2030 — $75 million total — to help support the dental workforce in communities that need more providers. The prior authorization was $13.903 million a year for 2019 through 2023, so this is a $1.097 million annual increase.
That is a relatively modest bump, but over five years it adds up to about $5.485 million more than the old annual level would have provided across the same span. If the money is appropriated, the practical effect is to keep federal support flowing for recruiting, training, and placing dental professionals instead of letting the program lapse.
The bill also says the money can remain available until it is spent. That gives the program more flexibility for longer-term workforce projects, instead of forcing every dollar to be used within a single budget year.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jul 21, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
H.R. 2001 Bill Summary
What H.R. 2001 actually does.
Dental workforce funding continues through 2030
H.R. 2001 authorizes $15 million for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 for an existing grant program focused on dental workforce needs.
Annual funding rises above the old level
The bill raises the authorized amount from $13.903 million a year to $15 million a year, an increase of $1.097 million annually.
Existing grant program stays in place
Rather than creating a new program, the bill reauthorizes an existing federal grant program that supports dental workforce efforts.
Money can be used beyond one budget year
Funds authorized under the bill would remain available until expended, allowing projects to keep using the money after a single fiscal year ends.
Who benefits from H.R. 2001?
People in areas with too few dental providers
If workforce grants help place more dentists, hygienists, and other dental professionals where shortages are worst, you may have an easier time finding care closer to home.
Dental clinics and community health providers
Organizations working to recruit or retain dental staff could benefit from a program authorized at $15 million a year instead of the old $13.903 million level.
Dental students and early-career professionals entering shortage areas
Workforce programs backed by this funding may create more training, placement, or support opportunities tied to underserved communities.
Patients who delay care because appointments are hard to get
The bill is aimed at the supply problem behind long waits and limited access, especially where there are not enough providers taking new patients.
Who is affected by H.R. 2001?
Federal agencies running the grant program
They would continue administering the dental workforce program under a new five-year authorization through 2030.
Congress and appropriators
Authorizing $15 million a year does not spend the money by itself. Lawmakers would still need to provide funding through the annual appropriations process.
Communities still facing provider shortages
If the bill stalls or the funding is not appropriated, those areas could see less federal support for workforce pipeline and placement efforts.
Taxpayers
The bill authorizes $75 million over five years for this program, with funds available until spent rather than expiring at the end of a budget year.
Cost & Funding
Authorization
$15,000,000 a year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030
- Five-year total: $75,000,000.
- Previous authorization: $13,903,000 a year for fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
- Annual increase: $1,097,000.
- Back-of-napkin math: over five years, that is about $5,485,000 more than the old yearly level across the same span.
- Authorized funds would remain available until expended.
- This is an authorization, not an automatic appropriation.
What Congress Is Saying
H.R. 2001 has come up 11 times in the Congressional Record so far.
H.R. 2001 also appeared in 1 more House floor reference and 6 routine cosponsor filings.
HR2001 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Jul 21, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
House: Vote Held
Jul 20, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4645)
House: Committee Action
Jul 2, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-721.
House: Vote: 44-0
May 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
House: Committee Action
Mar 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
About the Sponsor
Robin Kelly
Democrat, Illinois's 2nd congressional district · 13 years in Congress
Committees: Energy and Commerce
View full profile →
Cosponsors (9)
This bill has 9 cosponsors: 7 Democrats, 2 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 8 states: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, and 5 more.
Committee Sponsors
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
0 of 23 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Energy and Commerce Committee
1 of 54 committee members cosponsored
33 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 2001 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 340G(f) of Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256g(f))
striking ``$13,903,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended''
H.R. 2001 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Health
- Introduced
- Mar 10, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Jul 21, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with status, text, actions, and committee information for the Action for Dental Health Act.
This is the U.S. Code section the bill amends, including subsection 340G(f) tied to dental workforce grant authority.
HRSA administers federal oral health workforce and access initiatives relevant to the dental workforce grant program reauthorized by the bill.
Official HRSA health workforce funding hub that helps explain how federal workforce grants support training and placement of providers.
The Bureau of Health Workforce is the HRSA office most closely associated with federal workforce pipeline and shortage-area support programs.
Official HRSA shortage-area resource showing how the government identifies communities with provider shortages, including dental shortages.
Official published House-reported bill text for H.R. 2001 showing the exact amendment to the Public Health Service Act.
H.R. 2001 Common Questions
What does H.R. 2001 actually do?
It renews an existing federal dental workforce grant program and authorizes $15 million a year from 2026 through 2030.
How much money is in H.R. 2001?
H.R. 2001 authorizes $15 million each year for five years, for a total of $75 million.
Is this a new dental program or an extension of an old one?
It is an extension. H.R. 2001 keeps an existing dental workforce grant program going instead of creating a brand-new one.
How much higher is the funding than before?
The old level was $13.903 million a year. H.R. 2001 raises that to $15 million, an increase of $1.097 million annually.
Who is this bill supposed to help?
The bill is aimed at communities with dental workforce shortages by supporting efforts to recruit, train, and place more dental professionals.
Does H.R. 2001 directly pay for dental visits?
No. It supports the workforce behind dental care, not direct coverage for your appointment or procedure.
Can the money roll over if it is not spent in one year?
Yes. H.R. 2001 says the funds remain available until expended, so they do not automatically expire at the end of one fiscal year.
Has H.R. 2001 become law yet?
No. The House reported and sent it on, and the latest action says it was received in the Senate and referred to committee.
Based on H.R. 2001 bill text
H.R. 2001 Bill Text
“To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a grant program for addressing dental workforce needs.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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