Maddy summaryS 2477 (Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act) expands Medicare Part B coverage to include specific pharmacist services previously only covered when provided by physicians. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and pharmacists by allowing coverage for services like evaluating patients for COVID-19, flu, or respiratory illnesses, and addressing public health emergencies - provided pharmacists are licensed or operating under federal emergency authority. The bill establishes payment at 80% of the lesser of actual charge or 85% of physician payment rates (100% during federal emergencies) and prohibits balance billing for these services. It also clarifies that existing Medicare enrollment pathways for pharmacists remain available. This bill modifies Medicare Part B coverage under the Social Security Act without restricting current pharmacy reimbursement options.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2023 modifies the Small Business Administration's 504 loan program to better support small manufacturers. It increases manufacturing loan amounts from $5.5 million to $6.5 million, establishes different contribution requirements (5-10% of project cost), and sets a $150,000 per job creation standard for manufacturers (compared to $75,000 for other businesses). The bill streamlines loan closing procedures with new flexibility for correcting details and reallocating costs, and requires small manufacturers to partner with resource centers like small business development centers. These changes aim to make the 504 loan program more accessible and beneficial for small manufacturing businesses.
Maddy summaryThe 504 Credit Risk Management Improvement Act of 2023 strengthens oversight of the SBA's 504 loan program by expanding the Office of Credit Risk Management's authority. It requires the Office to conduct random file reviews of 504 loan closings, report findings to certified development companies (CDCs) within 60 days, and mandate corrections for deficiencies that could cause losses to the SBA. The bill grants new enforcement tools, including fees based on CDCs' portfolio sizes (up to 1 basis point) and penalties of up to $250,000 for violations. Additionally, it directs the SBA to issue NEPA compliance rules for CDCs within 180 days, clarifying how they must meet environmental review requirements for projects.
Maddy summarySRES 306 is a symbolic Senate resolution (not a law) introduced on July 20, 2023, by Senators Klobuchar and Duckworth. It recognizes the economic importance of mothers in the workforce and highlights systemic barriers they face, including childcare costs, wage gaps, and lack of workplace benefits. The resolution calls for policy actions like expanding paid leave, investing in affordable childcare, strengthening the child tax credit, and addressing maternal health care - though it does not create new laws or allocate funding. It focuses on raising awareness of how supporting mothers benefits the broader economy, citing statistics on workforce participation and economic impact.
Maddy summaryThe Regional Integration and Normalization Act of 2023 (RINA) establishes a Special Presidential Envoy and creates a $105 million fund to support economic, security, and people-to-people initiatives among Israel, Abraham Accords countries (UAE, Bahrain, Morocco), and Negev Forum countries (including Egypt, Jordan, and others). The bill authorizes enhanced reporting on regional integration efforts, promotes educational exchanges, scientific collaboration, and cybersecurity cooperation, and supports projects addressing water security, energy, and agricultural challenges. It establishes mechanisms for economic partnership, including negotiating frameworks for trade, investment, and regulatory alignment, and aims to deepen cooperation through initiatives like the UAE-Israel CEPA. The legislation directly affects U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East, focusing on regional stability and economic growth through normalization frameworks.
Maddy summaryThe CRP Flexibility Act of 2023 (S 2412) allows farmers enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to cut hay during the primary bird nesting season under specific emergency conditions. It directly affects CRP participants in counties facing severe drought (D2 or higher on the U.S. Drought Monitor), experiencing at least 40% forage loss, or when the Secretary determines emergency use won't damage habitat. The bill amends existing rules to permit emergency haying "during or outside" the nesting season in these situations, replacing previous restrictions. This change provides flexibility for farmers to access forage during natural disasters while maintaining habitat protections.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage for obesity treatment. It allows more healthcare providers - including nurse practitioners, dietitians, and clinical psychologists - to offer intensive behavioral therapy for obesity, with requirements for coordination with primary care physicians. It also adds Medicare Part D coverage for FDA-approved medications used to treat obesity or manage weight in adults with related health conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure). These changes directly affect Medicare beneficiaries with obesity, aiming to improve access to proven treatment options. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on implementation progress.
Maddy summaryThe Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act of 2023 would create a federal grant program to fund community organizations - including abortion funds and nonprofits - that help individuals access abortion services. Eligible groups would use these grants to provide practical support like connecting people to providers, coordinating travel and childcare costs, and offering accurate, culturally appropriate reproductive health information. The bill also includes legal protections preventing states from restricting these navigation services, even in states with abortion bans, and allows organizations to sue states that block such support. This directly affects people seeking abortion care and the community groups that assist them, focusing on reducing barriers to access.
Maddy summaryS 2452, the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2023, requires federal agencies to annually increase their purchases of biobased products made from agricultural commodities like corn and soybeans. It updates the USDA's BioPreferred Program by mandating yearly procurement targets for biobased-only contracts, establishing a new Biobased Task Force to coordinate USDA efforts, and requiring federal agencies to update procurement systems to identify biobased products. The bill also adds training for federal staff on biobased purchasing, improves labeling verification, and mandates public reporting on biobased product usage. These changes directly affect federal procurement departments, agricultural producers, and manufacturers of biobased products. The goal is to expand domestic manufacturing of biobased goods while supporting rural economies through increased federal demand.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require most health insurance plans to cover infertility treatment and fertility preservation services. It mandates coverage for infertility treatment (including IVF and other assisted reproductive technology) if a plan covers obstetrical services, and requires fertility preservation coverage for people undergoing medical treatments that may cause infertility (like cancer therapy). The bill applies to private insurance, federal employee health plans, TRICARE, VA benefits, and Medicaid programs, prohibiting cost-sharing that exceeds what's applied to similar services. It also requires clear notice to plan participants about these coverage requirements. The bill aims to address current gaps in coverage, as many employers and states currently do not cover these medically necessary services.