Rep. Sarah McBride

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Medicare to cover dental and oral health services for the first time, affecting all current and future Medicare beneficiaries. It defines covered services to include routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, dentures, and emergency care. For most individuals, federal payment for these services will gradually increase from 0% to 80% over an eight-year period, while low-income individuals eligible for prescription drug subsidies will receive 80% coverage immediately. The legislation also establishes frequency limits, such as two cleanings and exams per year and a five-year limit on full dentures, and requires the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to include at least one oral health professional.

Maddy summaryThe Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2026 mandates that Medicaid programs cover a range of dental and oral health services for adults starting in 2027, including dentures, implants, and treatments for pain and emergencies. To help states afford this expansion, the bill provides 100 percent federal funding for these specific services for a 12-quarter period beginning in 2027, while allowing states the option to add extra dental benefits if they choose. In addition to expanding coverage, the legislation requires the federal government to develop standardized quality measures to track adult oral health outcomes and report on disparities based on race, ethnicity, and other demographics. The bill also directs the creation of an outreach program to help eligible adults find care and establishes a timeline for a comprehensive report on access barriers and reimbursement issues.

Maddy summaryThe Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act updates the tax credit available to small businesses that make their facilities more accessible to people with disabilities. It allows these businesses to claim the credit for a broader range of expenses, including equipment and services that go beyond the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act or are needed even if the business is not currently subject to those rules. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definitions of disability and reasonable accommodation within the tax code. The legislation also requires the Treasury Department to issue guidance and conduct public outreach to help eligible businesses understand the updated credit, with a report to Congress due two years after enactment. These changes will take effect for expenses incurred after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes federal programs focused on preventing and responding to tick-borne diseases through 2026-2030, extending existing efforts beyond their previous expiration. It updates the National Strategy for Vector-Borne Diseases to emphasize identifying, reporting, preventing, and responding to these illnesses. The bill modifies two sections of the Public Health Service Act to continue funding for health departments working on vector-borne disease control. It directly affects public health programs and state/local health departments managing tick-borne disease prevention and response.

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 summaryHR 3029, the Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act, directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop new screening standards for synthetic DNA and RNA production to prevent misuse. It requires NIST to research improved testing accuracy, security protocols for sequence databases, and technical guidance for screening tools, with a stakeholder consortium including industry and researchers to set priorities. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030) for NIST to carry out this work and mandates a report to Congress within 18 months of the first consortium meeting. This directly affects biotechnology companies, research institutions, and labs producing synthetic genetic materials by establishing new biosecurity screening requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 2001 increases annual funding for a grant program supporting dental workforce development from $13.9 million to $15 million, extending the program through fiscal years 2026-2030 (previously 2019-2023) under the Public Health Service Act. The bill modifies existing funding levels to maintain support for addressing dental workforce shortages, with funds remaining available until expended. This change directly affects the operation of the grant program and its ability to fund dental workforce initiatives.

Maddy summaryHR 2004, titled "Tyler’s Law," requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study how often hospital emergency departments test for fentanyl during overdose cases (beyond standard drug tests), including associated costs, patient benefits/risks, and impacts on privacy and patient-physician relationships. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment. Based on the study results, the Secretary must issue guidance within six months on whether emergency departments should routinely test for fentanyl, how to inform clinicians about test contents, and how such testing may affect future overdose risks and health outcomes. This bill directly affects hospital emergency departments and patients experiencing overdoses by shaping future testing protocols.

Maddy summaryHR 1266, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, adds xylazine - a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug mixtures - to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, regulating its use and trafficking. It directly affects veterinarians, animal owners, and manufacturers by allowing xylazine to be legally dispensed for animal use under specific veterinary prescriptions, while prohibiting non-veterinary human use. The bill includes transition periods (60 days for practitioners, 1 year for labeling) to ease compliance for manufacturers and practitioners, and requires the DEA and FDA to expedite necessary applications. It also mandates two congressional reports on xylazine's illicit use and trafficking patterns, and directs the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for offenses involving xylazine.

Maddy summaryHR 2913, the Ukraine Support Act, provides comprehensive U.S. support for Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion. The bill authorizes security assistance including lend-lease authority for military equipment, establishes a Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund for economic recovery, and imposes new sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions, oil companies, and government officials. It also includes provisions to counter Russian disinformation, support Radio Free Europe, and address the kidnapping of Ukrainian children. The legislation directly affects U.S. foreign policy, Ukraine's defense capabilities, and Russia's access to international financial systems. The act aims to strengthen Ukraine's sovereignty while holding Russia accountable for its actions.