Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summaryThe Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023 would expand Medicare coverage to include audiology services provided directly by qualified audiologists without requiring a physician referral, supervision, or that the patient be under a physician's care. Starting January 1, 2025, Medicare would cover hearing and balance assessments and treatments that audiologists are legally permitted to perform under state law, with payment set at 80% of the cost. This change would improve access to hearing care for Medicare beneficiaries and allow audiologists to practice more independently under Medicare. The bill does not alter the existing scope of covered services beyond what was available as of December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 2372, the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, streamlines enrollment for out-of-state healthcare providers who treat Medicaid-eligible children under 21 with medically complex conditions. It requires states to adopt a process allowing these providers to join state Medicaid/CHIP programs without extra state-level screening, provided they already meet federal Medicare or home-state program requirements and pose low fraud risk. The bill establishes a 5-year enrollment period for eligible providers, directly affecting children needing specialized care across state lines and the providers serving them. Key provisions remove barriers to interstate care coordination while maintaining federal oversight standards.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Pentagon Price Gouging Act (S 2049) requires major defense contractors to annually report detailed pricing data to the Pentagon, including changes in sales volume, gross margins, and cost drivers. It mandates that contractors disclose how price increases relate to cost changes or sales volume, with specific tabular formats for transparency. The bill also creates a pilot program offering accelerated progress payments (up to 80-95%) to contractors who promptly provide certified cost data during negotiations. These provisions target "traditional defense contractors" (defined as firms with specific Pentagon contracts under cost accounting rules) to improve price transparency and prevent excessive pricing in defense procurement.

Maddy summaryThe MAPS Act requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a database tracking essential medicines and their supply chains, focusing on drugs critical for public health emergencies or shortages. It mandates mapping production locations for key drug ingredients, finished products, and related materials across pharmaceutical manufacturers, with updates to be published by HHS. The bill also requires HHS to submit annual reports to Congress on progress, data gaps, and industry cooperation, while ensuring the database remains confidential and non-public. This primarily affects pharmaceutical manufacturers providing supply chain data and federal agencies coordinating on national security and health security threats.

Maddy summaryThe Youth Apprenticeship Advancement Act (S 2363) creates a federal grant program to support high-quality youth apprenticeship programs for individuals aged 16-22 who are enrolled in or returning to high school. The bill provides 75% federal funding through the Youth Apprenticeship Advancement Fund to eligible partnerships (including schools, employers, workforce boards, and community organizations) that develop apprenticeships combining classroom instruction with on-the-job training in high-demand industries. The program specifically targets youth from low-income backgrounds and underrepresented groups, requiring applicants to demonstrate strategies for recruiting, retaining, and supporting nontraditional apprenticeship populations. It sets standards for apprenticeship agreements, including safe work environments, progressive wage scales, career counseling, and alignment with high school graduation requirements.

Maddy summarySRES 294 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for designating May 2023 as "American Stroke Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funds, but encourages public awareness about stroke prevention, recognition of symptoms (using the F.A.S.T. acronym), and emergency response. The resolution specifically urges Americans to learn stroke risk factors, identify warning signs, and call 911 immediately during a stroke. It also commends organizations and efforts promoting stroke education and care improvements. As a procedural resolution, it directly affects public awareness efforts but has no binding legal effect on policy or healthcare.

Maddy summarySRES 295 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing solidarity with the Cuban people who protested for freedom and human rights on July 11, 2021. It calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Cuba and an end to government repression, including arbitrary arrests and torture. The resolution urges other democratic nations and the European Union to prioritize human rights in Cuba policy and hold abusers accountable, while recognizing prodemocracy activists like independent journalists and labor leaders. It also calls on the international community to support Cuba’s democratic transition by affirming the Cuban people’s right to self-governance and basic freedoms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school food authorities to purchase at least 95% of food for school meal programs (including lunches, breakfasts, summer meals, and child care programs) that is "domestic" - meaning produced or processed in the U.S. or harvested by U.S. vessels. Schools may request a waiver to buy foreign food only if domestic options are unavailable in sufficient quantity or quality, with waivers limited to 5% of annual food costs per category. Schools must notify parents annually about foreign food purchases and maintain public transparency through USDA-maintained lists of waivers and noncompliance reports. The law applies to all federally funded school nutrition programs under the National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to report national emergency spending details in the same transparent format as regular federal funds, starting 180 days after enactment. It mandates reporting on allocated funds, committed funds, unobligated balances, and specific program spending breakdowns by object class for every presidentially declared national emergency. The bill also requires unique identifiers for emergency funds and updates data standards by the Office of Management and Budget and Treasury within 180 days. This applies directly to federal agencies managing emergency funds, ensuring consistent public access to spending data previously excluded from transparency rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. It specifies four coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, half-dollar clad, and proof silver $1) with set mintage limits, design requirements (including "2028" and "Liberty" inscriptions), and a 1-year issuance window starting January 1, 2028. All coins include surcharges ($5-$50 per coin) that fund the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee for the Games and legacy programs like youth sports promotion. The coins are legal tender but sold at face value plus surcharge and production costs, with no net cost to the federal government.