Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Maddy summaryThis bill removes waiting periods for disability and Medicare benefits for people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Specifically, it amends the Social Security Act to add "metastatic breast cancer" to the list of conditions that immediately qualify individuals for disability insurance benefits (eliminating a standard 24-month waiting period) and for Medicare coverage (removing a 24-month waiting period for Medicare Part A). The changes apply only to new applications or benefit periods starting after the bill becomes law. It directly affects patients with metastatic breast cancer seeking timely access to income support and healthcare coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare to simplify access for family caregivers to beneficiaries' health information. It mandates that Medicare create a new authorization form (CMS-10106) allowing beneficiaries to grant caregivers access to their personal health data via 1-800-MEDICARE. The law also directs Medicare to provide clear outreach through notices, websites, and provider channels, including multilingual materials and training for call center staff. It requires the Secretary to develop fraud protection best practices within one year and ensure all Medicare beneficiaries - regardless of plan type - can authorize caregiver access.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal funding for disaster resilience projects. It requires the federal government to cover at least 90% of costs for small hazard prevention projects under $1 million and potentially more than 90% for critical facilities like hospitals, schools, and emergency centers. The bill also makes hazard mitigation planning mandatory for states and local governments (changing "may" to "shall") and ensures Indian Tribes can directly access funds or apply through states for resilience projects. These changes apply to all eligible communities and tribes receiving federal disaster relief under the Stafford Act.

Maddy summaryS 3400, the Ally’s Act, requires most private health insurance plans and group health plans to cover hearing implants and related services for eligible individuals. It mandates coverage for cochlear implants, bone conduction devices, maintenance, repairs, upgrades every five years, hearing assessments, pre- and post-surgery care, and aural rehabilitation. Insurers cannot impose stricter cost-sharing or treatment limits for these services than for other medical care, and cannot deny coverage based on medical necessity determinations by a physician or audiologist. The law applies to plans covering individuals with hearing loss (including unilateral or bilateral) who meet medical criteria, effective for plan years starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific mountain in Alaska (located at 63°04′12″ N, 151°00′18″ W) as "Denali" for all federal references. It requires all U.S. government documents, maps, and records to use "Denali" instead of the previous name for this mountain. The bill affects only official federal paperwork and does not change any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 80) is a joint resolution disapproving a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concerning oil and gas activities in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. It directly affects the BLM's management of the reserve by nullifying its 2022 "Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision," which outlined drilling and leasing plans. The resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act (chapter 8 of title 5 U.S. Code) to formally block the rule, stating it "shall have no force or effect." This procedural action was passed by Congress and signed into law on December 5, 2025, reversing the BLM's regulatory framework for the Alaska reserve.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 91) seeks congressional disapproval of a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule authorizing oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Coastal Plain. It directly affects the BLM's ability to implement this leasing program by aiming to block the rule under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The resolution would nullify the rule (issued December 2024) if passed, preventing the BLM from moving forward with leasing activities in the Coastal Plain area. The resolution references a Government Accountability Office opinion confirming the rule qualifies for disapproval under the CRA.

Maddy summaryS 3375, the Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act, amends the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Culture and Art Development Act to improve governance for Native Hawaiian arts grants. It requires governing boards managing these grants to include Native Hawaiians and recognized experts in Native Hawaiian arts, and mandates fixed terms for board members. The bill also removes the word "private" from eligibility language and adds requirements for boards to "establish and maintain" grant programs. This directly affects entities receiving Native Hawaiian arts funding by changing how their oversight boards are structured and composed. The changes focus on ensuring cultural expertise and representation in grant administration.

Maddy summaryThe Dream Act of 2025 creates a pathway to conditional permanent resident status for individuals who entered the United States as children. To qualify, applicants must have been under 18 when entering the U.S., maintained continuous physical presence for at least 4 years prior to enactment, and meet educational, military service, or employment requirements. After obtaining conditional status (valid for 8 years), applicants must fulfill additional criteria - including earning a degree, serving in the Armed Forces, or working for 3 years - to remove the conditional status and obtain full permanent resident status. The bill includes specific documentation requirements, background checks, medical examinations, and strong confidentiality protections prohibiting use of application information for immigration enforcement purposes.

Maddy summaryS 3267, the ASAP Act, would require Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias starting January 1, 2028. The bill defines these tests as FDA-cleared or approved blood, genomic, or imaging-based screenings for pre-symptomatic or early-stage detection. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries aged 65+ who may be at risk for Alzheimer's, ensuring coverage for these specific tests once approved. The key provision adds these screenings to Medicare's payment system under Section 1833(h)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act.