Rep. Mike Kelly

Maddy summaryThe American Shipyard Investment Act of 2026 creates a new tax credit to encourage investment in U.S. shipyards that build or repair commercial and military vessels. This credit allows taxpayers to deduct 25 percent of their qualified investments in these facilities from their taxes, increasing to 35 percent for projects located in designated economic zones. The law defines eligible investments as property used for constructing, repairing, or manufacturing parts for ships and sets a deadline of December 31, 2033, for when the property must be put into service. Additionally, the bill permits businesses to transfer unused tax credits to other entities and provides an exemption from a specific alternative tax on shipping activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax incentive program to encourage investment in specific areas designated for maritime industries, such as shipyards and ports. It allows certain census tracts identified by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with federal officials, to be treated as qualified opportunity zones, which offers tax benefits to investors who put money into businesses operating within those areas. To qualify, the businesses must be directly involved in maritime activities like building or repairing vessels, and the program is limited to a maximum of 100 designated zones. The changes to the tax code will take effect after December 31, 2026, with the initial selection process for these zones beginning by July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThe AADAPT Act reauthorizes and expands Project ECHO grants to improve Alzheimer’s and dementia care through technology-enabled training. It specifically funds grants for healthcare providers in rural, frontier, or medically underserved areas to enhance early diagnosis, quality care, and provider retention for dementia patients. The bill authorizes $1 million annually (2027-2032) for these dementia-focused training programs, requiring funds to supplement - not replace - existing resources. This directly supports primary care providers licensed to serve underserved communities, using collaborative online learning to address care gaps.

Maddy summaryThe Take Care of America's Veterans Act is a comprehensive legislative bill designed to improve benefits, healthcare access, and administrative efficiency for veterans and their families. The bill directly affects veterans, their surviving spouses, caregivers, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Key provisions include expanding disability compensation for combat-related retirees, allowing remarried surviving spouses to retain certain survivor benefits, and increasing compensation rates for specific disability conditions like sleep apnea and tinnitus. The legislation also mandates significant healthcare improvements, such as establishing a pilot program to coordinate care between the VA and Medicare, creating a formulary for prosthetic items, and requiring the VA to provide lactation spaces in all medical centers. Additionally, the bill introduces administrative reforms to speed up claims processing, prohibit denying claims solely for missed medical appointments, and enhance oversight of the VA's disability rating system.

Maddy summaryThe Essential Caregivers Act of 2026 requires nursing homes, long-term care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and intermediate care facilities to allow two chosen family members or friends to visit residents during times when regular visitation is suspended. These essential caregivers must agree to follow the facility's existing safety and infection control rules, which are no more restrictive than those applied to staff. While facilities can limit access for the first seven days of a suspension or deny entry if a caregiver shows symptoms of a serious infectious disease, they cannot block visits for end-of-life care. Additionally, the bill mandates that complaints about denied access to essential caregivers be investigated and resolved within three days.

Maddy summaryThe Saving Today's Acute-Care Resources Act modifies how Medicare calculates payment rates for long-term care hospitals to ensure they receive appropriate funding for treating complex patients. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the bill expands the criteria for avoiding payment reductions by adding a "high acuity" standard that considers patients transferred from acute care or critical access hospitals with severe diagnoses. It also updates existing rules to include discharges from long-term care hospitals that have undergone significant construction projects or hold state certificates of need. These changes aim to adjust reimbursement levels based on the severity of patient conditions and the specific history of the hospital treating them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic pre-approval systems for medical services by 2028 and meet transparency reporting standards starting in 2027. Plans must publicly report data on approval/denial rates, appeal outcomes, response times, and technology use for pre-approval requests, including details on how denials relate to clinical criteria. It establishes a 24-hour response timeframe for certain requests and mandates annual reviews of pre-approval requirements based on data and input from seniors and providers. The law directly affects Medicare Advantage plans, seniors enrolled in these plans, and healthcare providers who submit pre-approval requests. These changes aim to make the pre-approval process faster, more transparent, and more accountable for seniors seeking covered medical services.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the memory of Corey Comperatore, a veteran and volunteer firefighter from Sarver, Pennsylvania, who passed away on July 13, 2024. It formally acknowledges his service to his community and country while mourning his loss as a husband, father, and hero. The House of Representatives is asked to express its condolences and celebrate his life through this commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new coordinator within the President's Domestic Policy Council to lead federal efforts in using artificial intelligence to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pediatric cancer. The coordinator will specifically work with the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative to enhance clinical trials, consolidate medical data for better analysis, and develop new tools that predict how patients respond to treatments. Additionally, the legislation directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to create interoperability standards that allow patient data to be safely shared for AI research while ensuring individuals maintain control over their health information. The bill authorizes funding for these initiatives through fiscal years 2027 to 2031 and requires a report to Congress on implementation within 180 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 modernizes the H-2A visa program by transferring administrative authority to the Department of Homeland Security and introducing a unified online platform to streamline applications for employers and workers. Key provisions include establishing new housing standards with mandatory inspections, creating a system for staggered worker entry and exit, and allowing workers to transfer between employers without losing their status. The bill also defines specific job classifications for wage calculations, expands the scope of covered agricultural activities, and provides legal protections for employers who document the employment of workers seeking visa status. Additionally, it requires agencies to develop a heat illness prevention plan and allows for contract termination due to natural disasters.