Sen. Angus S. King, Jr.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education funding rules to prioritize civics and American history education in K-12 schools. It changes eligibility criteria for certain grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by requiring programs to: (1) improve teaching of American history, civics, or government; (2) focus on underserved students and demonstrate innovation; (3) include hands-on civic activities; and (4) teach the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The changes directly affect schools applying for these federal grants by setting new standards for funding approval. The bill modifies existing law without creating new programs or funding streams.

Maddy summaryS 2287, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, establishes federal funding to expand training for health professionals in palliative and hospice care. The bill creates multiple programs including grants for education programs, fellowships for faculty to gain specialized training, and career incentive awards for students pursuing palliative care specialties. It prioritizes training in rural and underserved areas, for pediatric populations, and for racial and ethnic minorities. The bill authorizes $15 million annually through 2030 to build a more skilled palliative care workforce for patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses.

Maddy summaryThe MAPS Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update and maintain an Essential Medicines List including drugs critical for national security, public health emergencies, chronic conditions, and military readiness. It mandates annual risk assessments identifying supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly drugs sourced over 50% from high-risk foreign suppliers like China, and compiles data on manufacturing locations and shortages. The bill directs HHS to map U.S. pharmaceutical supply chains from raw materials to finished products, using data analytics to identify national security threats, and report findings annually to Congress. This directly affects federal agencies (HHS, Defense), drug manufacturers, and supply chain stakeholders through mandatory reporting and transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1677, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act) requires health insurance plans to cover medically necessary treatments for congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. It mandates coverage for reconstructive services, dental/orthodontic care, and related treatments during the course of medical treatment, while excluding purely cosmetic procedures not medically necessary. Plans may apply cost-sharing requirements similar to those for other medical services but must provide notice about these coverage requirements to participants by January 1, 2026. The bill also directs a study on provider network adequacy and cost impacts related to these coverage requirements, to be completed by December 2027.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care Workforce Act (S 846) establishes a federal pilot program to boost pay for eligible child care workers in states, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations. It provides competitive grants to fund wage supplements targeting low-wage workers, aiming to attract and retain staff, improve well-being, and increase access to quality, affordable child care - particularly in underserved areas and for infants/toddlers or children with disabilities. Grantees must prioritize funding for high-need regions, pay supplements quarterly, and provide workers with tax/public benefit information, with up to 10% of funds allowed for administrative costs. The program will be evaluated after two years to measure impacts on worker retention, service quality, and affordability.

Maddy summaryS. Res. 650 is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. The resolution highlights their achievements in military service, business ownership, healthcare, science, arts, and civil rights advocacy through specific examples of individual women. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of their historical and ongoing contributions to American society.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends VA medical coverage to explicitly include adaptive prostheses and terminal devices designed for sports and recreational activities alongside standard artificial limbs. It directly affects eligible veterans using prosthetic devices who wish to participate in sports or recreational therapy. The key provision expands existing VA coverage under 38 U.S.C. §1701 to cover these specific adaptive devices without requiring separate authorization. This change ensures veterans can access equipment for recreational purposes through the VA's standard medical services. The bill does not create new benefits but clarifies and broadens existing coverage for a defined category of prosthetic devices.

Maddy summaryThe VSAFE Act of 2025 creates a new "Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer" within the Department of Veterans Affairs to combat fraud targeting veterans. This position serves as the central point of contact for veterans, families, and caregivers, responsible for developing fraud prevention communication, training VA staff, promoting the VSAFE Fraud Hotline and website, and coordinating with agencies like the IRS and DOJ. The bill requires the officer to monitor fraud metrics, establish consistent guidance for identifying and reporting scams, and consult with veterans' organizations. It does not authorize new full-time staff and includes a minor extension of a pension payment deadline (Section 3).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve coordination when veterans receive care from community providers. It directs the VA's Under Secretary for Health to develop guidance for VA medical centers on obtaining final medical documentation after community care referrals, set performance goals for this documentation, and mandate core training for community care providers. The bill also requires the VA to monitor provider training completion and ensure clear communication about training requirements. Finally, it mandates regular reports to Congress on implementation progress, starting 120 days after enactment.

Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation Act of 2025 or the ASSIST Act of 2025 This bill expands the definition of medical services for purposes of veterans’ benefits to include additional medically necessary automobile adaptations. Under the bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs may provide funding for the following medically necessary automobile adaptations for driver or passenger use: ramp and kneeling systems, lowered floors, occupied and unoccupied mobility lifts, ingress or egress accessibility modifications, and adapted seating.  The bill also extends the limitation on pension amounts for certain hospitalized or institutionalized veterans through September 30, 2032.