Maddy summaryThe Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2023 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to disclose pricing information and prohibits them from keeping profit margins between what they charge health plans and what they pay pharmacies. It mandates annual reporting to the Federal Trade Commission about pricing differences, rebates, and formulary changes, and prohibits PBMs from arbitrarily reducing pharmacy reimbursements or increasing fees. The law affects PBMs, health plans, pharmacies, and drug manufacturers by requiring full transparency in drug pricing practices. It includes whistleblower protections for employees who report violations and establishes enforcement mechanisms through the FTC. This legislation aims to increase clarity in the prescription drug pricing system and reduce hidden costs for consumers and healthcare providers.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides retroactive pay, benefits, and seniority for senior military officers (O-7 and above) whose promotions were delayed due to a suspension of Senate confirmation hearings starting in February 2023. It specifically applies to officers confirmed to their ranks between December 5 and December 31, 2023. The Secretary of Defense must pay retroactive compensation starting 30 days after the appointment was placed on the Senate Executive Calendar, use that date for seniority calculations, and waive any negative impacts from the confirmation delay. This addresses a specific backlog of promotions affected by the Senate's temporary suspension of its advice-and-consent process.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2087) extends the authorization period for the Congressional Award Program, which recognizes young Americans for achievements in community service, personal growth, and physical fitness. It reauthorizes the program through October 1, 2028, instead of ending in 2023. The bill makes minor technical updates to medal specifications but does not change eligibility or program structure. The Congressional Award Program directly affects youth participants and the agencies managing the awards.
Maddy summaryS 3354, the Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act, prohibits the sale of poppy seeds contaminated with morphine or other harmful alkaloids that could make food unsafe. It directly affects food manufacturers, retailers, and consumers by requiring that poppy seeds sold in food products meet new safety standards to prevent health risks. The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ban selling such contaminated seeds and mandates the Health and Human Services Secretary to establish maximum contamination limits within two years. This creates a concrete regulatory standard to address documented cases of deaths, false drug tests, and medical complications linked to poppy seed contamination.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 471) expresses formal support for National Adoption Day (observed November 18, 2023) and National Adoption Month (November 2023). It promotes awareness about children in foster care awaiting adoption, celebrates adoption success stories, and encourages U.S. citizens to support efforts securing permanent, safe homes for all children. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight adoption needs. It specifically references foster care statistics (e.g., 114,000 children awaiting adoption) to underscore its purpose.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 427) calls on Congress, schools, and state/local educational agencies to acknowledge dyslexia's significant impact on learning and to address it. It designates October 2023 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month" to promote recognition of dyslexia as a common learning disability affecting reading, spelling, and language processing. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but urges educational institutions to prioritize early screening and evidence-based interventions for students with dyslexia. It references the First Step Act's federal definition of dyslexia and emphasizes the need for early support to help affected individuals succeed.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases home modification benefits for disabled veterans under VA home health services. It sets a new $9,000 annual benefit limit for veterans applying after the law's enactment, while maintaining a $6,800 limit for veterans who applied before but later have their condition deemed service-connected. Benefits will automatically adjust yearly based on changes in residential construction costs. The bill also limits veterans to three home modifications or structural alterations under this benefit.
Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 49 seeks congressional disapproval of a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule that would have established a new standard for determining when two or more companies are considered "joint employers" under labor law. The rule, published in October 2023, would have affected businesses with complex employment structures, such as franchisors and contractors, by altering how joint employer liability is assessed for wage, hour, and union representation matters. If passed, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving the previous standard for joint employer determinations. The bill was introduced by Senators Cassidy, Manchin, Braun, McConnell, Marshall, Cramer, Capito, and Paul and referred to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution approves the 2023 agreements that amend the U.S. compacts with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Palau, which govern their political and economic relationship. It authorizes continued U.S. assistance including funding for health care services, education programs, and economic development initiatives in these nations. The bill establishes new oversight mechanisms requiring regular reporting to Congress on the implementation of these agreements. It also updates procedures for managing funds and ensures that U.S. assistance remains separate from the nations' foreign debt obligations.