Maddy summaryThe HCBS Relief Act of 2025 increases federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) by 10 percentage points (capped at 95%) for participating states during fiscal years 2026-2027. It directly affects states that submit approved applications, Medicaid beneficiaries receiving HCBS, and home health workers by requiring states to use funds to raise wages/benefits for HCBS workers, reduce waiting lists, support family caregivers, and improve service quality. Key provisions mandate that states detail specific activities (like wage increases, paid leave, and equipment purchases) in applications, ensure funds supplement rather than replace state spending, and report on outcomes by 2029. The bill aims to strengthen HCBS access and workforce stability without changing Medicaid eligibility rules.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Easy Enrollment in Health Care Act (S 2057) creates a system that allows taxpayers to use their federal tax returns to determine eligibility for health insurance programs and automatically enroll household members in coverage with no out-of-pocket costs (zero net premium) if eligible. The bill establishes a process where taxpayers can consent to sharing tax return information (with privacy protections) with health insurance exchanges to determine eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, or subsidized marketplace plans, eliminating the need for separate applications. It creates a "single, streamlined application" that minimizes the information needed from taxpayers by leveraging existing tax data for eligibility determinations, with procedures for error correction and privacy safeguards. The program is designed to simplify enrollment in health insurance programs by using tax return information, with implementation required by January 1, 2028.
Maddy summaryThe State Public Option Act creates a new Medicaid buy-in option for state residents who are not enrolled in other health insurance plans, beginning January 1, 2026. It establishes limits on premiums (capped at 8.5% of family income) and cost-sharing, while allowing participants to enroll through state health insurance exchanges and access premium tax credits similar to those for private insurance. The bill also requires coverage of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion services, starting in 2026. Additionally, it includes provisions to improve payment rates for primary care services provided under Medicaid.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes an age limit that previously restricted continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage to children under 19. It changes the rules to apply 12-month continuous enrollment protections to all enrollees, regardless of age, by replacing "child" and age-specific language with "individual" throughout the program rules. The key mechanism is amending federal law to eliminate the requirement that beneficiaries must be under 19 to qualify for uninterrupted coverage. This directly affects all current and future Medicaid and CHIP participants, including adults and older children. The changes take effect in 2026.
Maddy summaryThe My Body, My Data Act of 2025 requires companies and services handling personal reproductive or sexual health information - such as health apps, clinics, or digital platforms - to only collect, retain, or share this data when strictly necessary for a service a person has requested. It gives individuals the right to access, correct, or delete their data easily (within 15 days, without fees), and mandates clear privacy policies explaining how data is used. The bill also prohibits companies from retaliating against people who exercise these rights, such as by charging higher prices or denying services. Enforcement will be handled by the Federal Trade Commission, with individuals able to sue for violations and seek penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per day.
Maddy summaryS 2035, the "Protect IVF Act," establishes federal rights to access and provide fertility treatment, including IVF, under widely accepted medical standards defined by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. It directly affects patients seeking fertility care, health care providers offering IVF services, health insurance issuers covering such care, and manufacturers of fertility-related drugs or devices. The bill preempts state laws that restrict IVF access in ways inconsistent with medical standards - such as mandating unnecessary procedures, limiting telemedicine, or imposing discriminatory barriers - and allows federal court enforcement against violating state actions. This focuses on protecting existing access rather than creating new benefits or altering insurance coverage requirements.
Maddy summaryThe ENROLL Act of 2025 amends the Affordable Care Act to strengthen the navigator program that helps people enroll in health insurance. It requires state and federal exchanges to award grants to navigators based on their capacity to provide services, not whether they cover non-qualified health plans, and mandates annual grants to community-focused nonprofits. Navigators must now provide information about Medicaid and CHIP programs in plain language and maintain physical presence in their states for in-person assistance. The bill allocates $100 million annually from health insurer user fees to fund federal exchange navigators starting in fiscal year 2026. These changes directly affect navigators, state/federal health insurance exchanges, and consumers seeking coverage.
Maddy summaryS 2028, the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025, provides federal grants to colleges offering construction and manufacturing apprenticeships to expand student recruitment and support services. It creates two grant programs: (1) community outreach grants (max $500,000 per college) to connect with high schools, employers in rural areas, and workforce boards - prioritizing rural, first-generation, minority, and nontraditional students; and (2) student support grants (max $500,000 per college) for advising, mental health services, childcare, and career development to improve program retention and completion. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030) for these programs, targeting colleges that sponsor registered apprenticeships in construction or manufacturing. It directly affects eligible apprenticeship colleges by funding specific activities to grow enrollment and support underrepresented students in these fields.
Maddy summaryThe TRAPS Act establishes a federal Task Force on Payment Scams, chaired by the Treasury Secretary, to coordinate efforts across agencies and industry to combat electronic payment scams. The Task Force includes representatives from the FTC, FCC, DOJ, financial regulators, consumer groups, and industry experts to evaluate scam trends, develop prevention strategies, and improve consumer education. It must submit an initial report to Congress within one year and provide annual updates, with the Task Force terminating three years after the first report. This bill directly affects how federal agencies and industry collaborate to address scams targeting consumers through digital payment platforms.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage to include audiology services (hearing and balance assessments, and treatment starting in 2027) for beneficiaries. It allows qualified audiologists to provide these services directly without requiring a physician referral or supervision, beginning January 1, 2027. Medicare will pay 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or the fee schedule amount for these services, and audiologists will be recognized as eligible providers in certain clinics. The changes apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.