Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.

Maddy summaryS 1974 (the ABC-ED Act of 2025) requires hospitals to track real-time emergency department bed capacity and boarding rates using modernized public health data systems, with grant funding to support this. It also creates a Medicare pilot program testing improved emergency care for older adults (through staffing, infrastructure, and geriatric protocols) and for psychiatric crisis patients (via dedicated units and faster transfers to post-acute facilities). The bill mandates a study by the Comptroller General to evaluate best practices for these data systems and their impact on emergency department wait times, boarding rates, and EMS offload times. The study must be completed within one year of enactment and reported to Congress. This bill directly affects hospitals, emergency departments, and post-acute care facilities (like skilled nursing homes) through new data requirements and pilot program participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1931) provides federal funding to states that meet specific standards for protecting sexual assault survivors' rights. States qualify for one of three funding tiers based on whether they have laws, regulations, or policies that provide rights matching federal standards under Section 3772 of Title 18 (e.g., right to be informed of case status, right to a safe environment during medical exams). The funding allocates 60% to states meeting the strictest standard, 25% to those meeting a moderate standard, and 15% to those meeting a less comprehensive standard. Additionally, the bill extends the minimum retention period for sexual assault evidence kits from "20 years or statute of limitations" to "at least 20 years" to preserve evidence for potential future investigations.

Maddy summaryS 1924, the Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act, requires colleges and universities covered by the Higher Education Act to include suicide prevention contact information on student identification cards or their websites. Specifically, it mandates that institutions include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, and their campus mental health center contact details on student IDs (or publish this information online if IDs aren't issued). The bill applies to all affected institutions and takes effect one year after enactment. It directly impacts students by making critical mental health resources more visible and accessible during emergencies. The law focuses on standardizing access to existing support services, not creating new programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage for diabetes self-management training for beneficiaries with diabetes. It requires 100% coverage with no cost-sharing for these services, including an initial 10 hours plus 2 additional hours annually, and allows physicians or qualified non-physician practitioners to authorize them. The bill also establishes a pilot program to test virtual training services starting in 2026, evaluating health outcomes and cost impacts. These changes apply to Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes beginning January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 255) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring former U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri, who died on May 13, 2025. It recognizes his 40+ years of public service, including his roles as Missouri Governor (1973-1977, 1981-1985) and U.S. Senator (1987-2011). The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn briefly as a mark of respect and transmit a copy to his family. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely commemorative.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month to celebrate Jewish Americans' contributions to U.S. society, culture, and history. It calls on elected officials, civil society leaders, and educational institutions to condemn antisemitism, educate the public about Jewish heritage, and ensure the safety of Jewish communities. The resolution cites rising antisemitic incidents - documented by the ADL as a 344% increase over five years - and emphasizes countering hate through awareness and inclusion. It does not create new laws but urges proactive measures to protect Jewish Americans, particularly following the post-October 7, 2023, surge in antisemitism.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, aims to strengthen democratic institutions and economic prosperity across the seven Western Balkans countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. It establishes concrete mechanisms including anti-corruption initiatives, regional economic development programs focused on reducing Russian energy dependence, cybersecurity support, and youth leadership development. The bill requires reports on Russian and Chinese malign influence operations in the region and codifies sanctions against those undermining democracy, while providing pathways for sanction termination. It emphasizes supporting European integration, promoting cross-cultural educational exchanges, and fostering regional trade and investment opportunities to address high poverty and youth out-migration in the region.

Maddy summaryThe Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act (S 1879) requires current and new Members of Congress, along with their spouses and dependent children, to divest or place certain investments in qualified blind trusts. It defines "covered investments" broadly to include stocks, bonds, commodities, and derivatives, while excluding diversified mutual funds, Treasury securities, and retirement plan investments. Members must complete this process within 120 days of enacting the law (with possible 180-day extensions), and new members have 120 days after taking office to comply. The law mandates public reporting of assets placed in blind trusts and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance, equal to a monthly portion of the member's salary. This legislation directly affects congressional staff members and their immediate families who hold financial interests that could create conflicts of interest.

Maddy summaryThe Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 amends the law governing deposits into the Crime Victims Fund, adding two new sources: funds from declined criminal prosecutions (without conviction) and certain False Claims Act recoveries (from 2025 through 2030). It specifically excludes two types of False Claims Act funds from these deposits: payments to whistleblowers (qui tam plaintiffs) and reimbursements for government fraud damages. This bill directly affects the Crime Victims Fund, which provides support to victims of crime, and adjusts how federal agencies handle False Claims Act cases. The changes aim to modify the fund's funding sources without altering the False Claims Act itself.