Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan

Maddy summaryThe SMART Prices Act changes how Medicare negotiates drug prices. It repeals a rule blocking Medicare from negotiating with drugmakers and accelerates the process, requiring negotiations for 40 drugs starting in 2027 (up from 10 annually). It shortens the time drugs must be single-source to qualify for negotiation (from 7 to 3 years) and adjusts price negotiation formulas, setting new caps like 76% of the drug's average price for some medications. This directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (by lowering their out-of-pocket costs) and pharmaceutical companies (by requiring price negotiations for more drugs faster).

Maddy summaryThe SMART Prices Act (S 1246) repeals a provision blocking states from negotiating Medicare drug prices and accelerates the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. It increases the annual number of drugs eligible for negotiation from 10 to 40 starting in 2027, shortens the timeframes for qualifying drugs from 7 to 3 years, and adjusts price ceiling percentages (e.g., raising the maximum fair price cap for some drugs from 75% to 76%). These changes directly affect Medicare beneficiaries by potentially lowering drug costs and pharmaceutical companies by altering negotiation timelines and pricing rules. The bill aims to reduce Medicare drug spending through faster, more aggressive price negotiations.

Maddy summaryS 1235 "Bruce's Law" creates new federal programs to address fentanyl contamination in illegal drugs. It mandates public education campaigns targeting youth, parents, schools, and first responders about the dangers of fentanyl-contaminated drugs, including prevention strategies and early warning signs of addiction. The bill establishes a Federal Interagency Work Group to coordinate efforts across health, law enforcement, and education agencies, and authorizes grants for community coalitions in areas with significant fentanyl-related overdoses to implement evidence-based prevention programs focused on youth. These provisions apply directly to communities experiencing fentanyl-related overdoses and require annual reporting to Congress on strategies to reduce overdoses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal grant programs to combat invasive species threatening U.S. forests. It creates two main grant types: research grants ($3M-$10M annually) for universities and agencies to study forest restoration methods like biological control and genetic resistance, and implementation grants ($25M annually) for projects planting native trees and restoring habitats. Eligible entities must provide matching funds (20% for research, 10% for implementation) and meet specific criteria like addressing high-risk forest areas. The bill also mandates a National Academy of Sciences study to improve federal coordination on invasive species threats, with reports to Congress on funding and research progress.

Maddy summaryS 1228, the Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act of 2023, allows the U.S. Mint Director to change the metal makeup of circulating coins if a study shows it will reduce taxpayer costs while keeping coins the same size, weight, and compatible with existing coin acceptors. It directly affects the U.S. Mint (which would implement changes) and coin manufacturers/stakeholders who might be impacted by composition shifts. Key provisions require the Mint to conduct a study with industry input, certify changes meet cost-saving and seamless criteria, and provide Congress 90 days' notice before implementation, during which Congress could block changes via disapproval resolution. The bill focuses on procedural cost savings for the federal government without altering coin functionality or public use.

Maddy summaryThe Do No Harm Act amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to clarify that RFRA does not apply when federal laws protect against discrimination (like the Civil Rights Act of 1964), guarantee workplace protections (such as the Family and Medical Leave Act), prevent child exploitation, or ensure health care access. It specifically prevents religious freedom claims from blocking enforcement of these existing laws. The bill directly affects individuals or entities attempting to use RFRA to challenge such federal protections in court. This amendment ensures that religious freedom arguments cannot override established civil rights, workplace, child safety, or health care regulations.

Maddy summarySRES 161 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating April 22-30, 2023, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but formally recognizes the National Park System's significance. The resolution highlights the parks' historical value, visitor impact (312 million visits in 2022), and economic contributions ($42.5 billion in 2021). It encourages public engagement with national parks but contains no funding, regulatory changes, or policy mechanisms. As a procedural resolution, it serves purely to honor the parks' legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in healthcare and social service sectors to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans for their workers. It applies to a wide range of facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, mental health clinics, and community care settings, affecting healthcare and social service workers who provide care in these environments. The plans must include risk assessments, hazard prevention measures, incident reporting procedures, and annual training for employees. Employers must maintain records of violent incidents, conduct annual evaluations of their prevention plans, and submit annual summaries of workplace violence data to the Secretary of Labor. The bill also prohibits retaliation against workers who report violence or safety concerns and ensures compliance with existing safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits healthcare providers and transplant centers from denying organ transplants or related services solely because a person has a disability. It requires covered entities (like hospitals and transplant centers) to make reasonable policy changes - such as involving a patient's support network or providing accessible communication - to ensure qualified individuals with disabilities can access transplants. The law clarifies that providers may only consider a disability medically significant if a physician determines it directly affects transplant success, and it establishes enforcement through the Department of Health and Human Services or lawsuits. The bill does not replace existing disability protections like the ADA but specifies how they apply to organ transplant processes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the contributions of care workers in the U.S., including childcare providers, home health aides, and support staff for older adults and people with disabilities. It expresses support for designating April 2023 as "Care Worker Recognition Month" to honor their essential role in supporting families and communities. The resolution highlights care workers' impact on economic stability, family caregiving, and community well-being without creating new laws or funding. As a symbolic gesture, it does not impose legal requirements or alter existing policies.