Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Maddy summaryThe Choose Medicare Act would create a new Medicare Part E public health plan available in the individual, small group, and large group insurance markets. This plan would provide gold-level coverage with essential health benefits, including reproductive services, and would be offered through health insurance exchanges. The bill establishes premium rates based on market type and geographic area, and creates annual out-of-pocket cost limits starting in 2027 (initially set at $6,700 for 2027). It would directly affect individuals and employers seeking health coverage, particularly those currently in the individual market or small/large group plans who may choose this new public option.

Maddy summaryThe My Body, My Data Act of 2025 requires companies and services handling personal reproductive or sexual health information - such as health apps, clinics, or digital platforms - to only collect, retain, or share this data when strictly necessary for a service a person has requested. It gives individuals the right to access, correct, or delete their data easily (within 15 days, without fees), and mandates clear privacy policies explaining how data is used. The bill also prohibits companies from retaliating against people who exercise these rights, such as by charging higher prices or denying services. Enforcement will be handled by the Federal Trade Commission, with individuals able to sue for violations and seek penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per day.

Maddy summaryS 2035, the "Protect IVF Act," establishes federal rights to access and provide fertility treatment, including IVF, under widely accepted medical standards defined by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. It directly affects patients seeking fertility care, health care providers offering IVF services, health insurance issuers covering such care, and manufacturers of fertility-related drugs or devices. The bill preempts state laws that restrict IVF access in ways inconsistent with medical standards - such as mandating unnecessary procedures, limiting telemedicine, or imposing discriminatory barriers - and allows federal court enforcement against violating state actions. This focuses on protecting existing access rather than creating new benefits or altering insurance coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits colleges and universities from requiring students to waive their right to sue in court through enrollment agreements. It blocks institutions from including forced arbitration clauses or other restrictions (like limiting choice of law, jury trials, or court locations) in contracts with students. The law amends the Higher Education Act to ensure students can pursue legal claims against schools directly in court, rather than through private dispute resolution. It applies to all enrollment agreements between students and institutions of higher education, effective one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 2006, the Fit to Serve Act, prohibits the U.S. military from discriminating against service members or applicants based on gender identity. It directly affects all current and prospective members of the Armed Forces by banning specific discriminatory actions, including denying medically necessary health care, requiring service in a sex assigned at birth, or separating members due to gender identity (including gender dysphoria diagnosis). The bill amends Title 10 of the U.S. Code to add new protections, explicitly stating that the military cannot deny service, reenlistment, or health coverage based on gender identity. These changes apply uniformly across all branches and service statuses, ensuring equal treatment under military policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Communications Act to clarify that "franchise fee" means only monetary assessments paid to local authorities for cable or community television services. It removes the word "includes" and adds "other monetary" before "assessment" in the definition. This technical change ensures franchise fees are strictly defined as cash payments, not other types of fees or non-monetary obligations. It directly affects cable operators and local governments that collect these fees under existing law. The bill makes no new policy changes but refines the legal definition for clarity.

Maddy summaryS 1970, the MACV-SOG Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor the service members of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) who served during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1972. The medal, to be presented by congressional leaders, recognizes MACV-SOG’s covert operations in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, including reconnaissance, sabotage, and rescue missions, and acknowledges the unit’s high sacrifice (over 1,500 personnel missing or killed). After presentation, the medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, with duplicate bronze medals available for sale to cover production costs. This bill is purely commemorative and does not create new policy or affect any current laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies U.S. tax rules for distilled spirits, specifically affecting Puerto Rico. It repeals a previous restriction on redirecting taxes collected from rum imported into the U.S. back to Puerto Rico, and requires Puerto Rico to transfer a portion of those rum tax revenues to the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust Fund. The transfer amount equals at least 1/6 of the difference between $10.50 per proof gallon and the actual tax rate (capped at $13.25 per gallon). The fund, established in 1968, uses these funds for conservation efforts like protecting natural areas and restoring habitats in Puerto Rico.

Maddy summaryS 1950, the Susan Muffley Act of 2025, requires the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to recalculate guaranteed monthly pension benefits for participants and beneficiaries in six specific Delphi-related pension plans (including the Delphi Hourly-Rate Employees Pension Plan and Delphi Retirement Program for Salaried Employees). It mandates that benefits be calculated based on the "full vested plan benefit" amount - previously reduced under certain limits - rather than the prior calculation method. The PBGC must adjust future monthly payments and make lump-sum payments within 180 days to cover past underpayments, including 6% annual interest on each underpaid month. This directly affects current and future retirees in these terminated plans who received less than their full guaranteed benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals key protections in the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act that shielded gun manufacturers from civil lawsuits. It allows victims of gun violence to use federal gun trace data (from the Firearms Trace System database) as evidence in civil court cases against gun sellers or manufacturers. The law makes this trace information discoverable, admissible, and usable in any civil action in state or federal courts, including the District of Columbia. This change directly affects victims seeking legal recourse and gun industry entities previously protected by the repealed law.