Sen. Christopher A. Coons

Maddy summaryS 838, the Improving Access to Mental Health Act of 2023, increases Medicare coverage for clinical social workers. It raises reimbursement rates for their services under Medicare Part B from 75% to 85% of the psychologist fee schedule and removes barriers preventing coverage in skilled nursing facilities. The bill specifically expands Medicare coverage to include a defined set of clinical social work services (using specific HCPCS codes) for mental health diagnosis, treatment, and behavioral interventions. This directly affects Medicare beneficiaries, particularly older adults and people in skilled nursing facilities, by making it easier for providers to offer and bill for these mental health services starting January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 110) honoring the late James George Abourezk, the first Arab American to serve in the U.S. Senate (1973-1979) from South Dakota. It commemorates his legacy, including his work re-establishing the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and co-authoring key Native American rights legislation like the Indian Child Welfare Act. The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory and send a copy to his family, acknowledging his service as a representative and advocate for Native American communities. As a procedural resolution, it has no legislative effect beyond commemoration.

Maddy summaryS 821 establishes a new U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region within the State Department, appointed by the President with Senate approval. This position coordinates U.S. foreign policy across Arctic-related issues - including security, environmental protection, indigenous affairs, resource management, and scientific research - reporting directly to the Secretary of State. The Ambassador will work with other federal agencies and coordinate with Arctic Council nations (the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia) on matters affecting the defined Arctic region, which includes northern U.S. territories, the Arctic Ocean, and adjacent seas. The bill creates a dedicated diplomatic role to centralize U.S. engagement in Arctic affairs without altering existing agency authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes Medicare coverage for chiropractic care by removing the outdated limit that restricted beneficiaries to one annual chiropractic clinic visit. It expands coverage to include all chiropractic services within a provider's state license, specifically manual spinal adjustments to correct subluxations, aligning Medicare with VA, military, and private insurance standards. Chiropractors must complete a brief online training verification once to bill Medicare for these services. The change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking ongoing chiropractic treatment and chiropractors participating in Medicare.

Maddy summaryThe ACTION for National Service Act restructures national service programs by renaming the Corporation for National and Community Service as the AmeriCorps Administration and establishing a new Advisory Board with specific appointment requirements. It significantly increases educational awards for participants to twice the national average of in-state tuition at public 4-year institutions and raises living allowances by 175-210%. The bill creates a new Civilian Climate Corps with specific requirements for service projects focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation in underserved communities. It also establishes a National Service Foundation to accept private gifts and sets a goal of having 1 million national service participants per year by 2033, with a phased plan to increase approved national service positions from 250,000 in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to mark the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service. It specifies three coin types: up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (90% gold), 400,000 $1 silver coins (90% silver), and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins, all to be issued in 2025. A surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollars) will be added to each coin's sale price, with all funds going directly to the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training to support its diplomatic history preservation work. The bill ensures no net cost to the government by requiring all design, production, and marketing expenses to be recovered through coin sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows physical therapists to use temporary replacement providers (locum tenens) under Medicare, aligning their coverage rules with those already available to physicians. It directly affects physical therapists and Medicare beneficiaries by enabling uninterrupted access to physical therapy services during provider shortages. The key change amends Medicare rules to treat outpatient physical therapy services the same as physician services for temporary staffing purposes. This policy shift takes effect after the bill's enactment, ensuring physical therapy care can continue without disruption during staffing gaps.

Maddy summarySRES 104 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas in the United States. It highlights that nearly 30 million Latinas live in the U.S. (1 in 6 women), emphasizing their roles across diverse fields like business (over 2 million Latina-owned businesses), military service (45,710 active-duty Latinas), arts (Selena, Rita Moreno), and essential work during the pandemic. The resolution notes ongoing challenges, including Latinas earning only 57 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men. It formally celebrates Latinas' achievements while acknowledging the need for further progress toward equality. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023 requires the U.S. government to address forced organ harvesting by mandating annual reports on the issue in foreign countries and allowing passport denial or revocation for individuals convicted of organ trafficking. It directs the President to impose sanctions - including asset blocking and visa bans - on individuals or entities involved in forced organ harvesting, with exceptions for humanitarian aid. The bill defines "forced organ harvesting" as organ removal by coercion, deception, or abuse of power, and "trafficking" as recruiting or transporting people for organ removal through similar means. These provisions aim to hold accountable those exploiting vulnerable individuals for organ removal.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans imports of unirradiated low-enriched uranium (nuclear fuel) from Russia or Russian-owned companies into the U.S., effective 90 days after enactment. It sets annual import limits (e.g., 578,877 kg in 2023, decreasing to 459,083 kg by 2027) and allows limited waivers by the Energy Secretary for national security or if no alternative fuel source exists, but waivers expire by 2028. Exemptions include Department of Energy national security contracts and non-uranium isotopes. The ban ends completely on December 31, 2040.