Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic pre-approval systems for medical services by 2028 and meet transparency reporting standards starting in 2027. Plans must publicly report data on approval/denial rates, appeal outcomes, response times, and technology use for pre-approval requests, including details on how denials relate to clinical criteria. It establishes a 24-hour response timeframe for certain requests and mandates annual reviews of pre-approval requirements based on data and input from seniors and providers. The law directly affects Medicare Advantage plans, seniors enrolled in these plans, and healthcare providers who submit pre-approval requests. These changes aim to make the pre-approval process faster, more transparent, and more accountable for seniors seeking covered medical services.
Sponsored bills
Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act This bill prohibits payment card networks from using merchant codes that distinguish firearms retailers from general-merchandise retailers or sporting-goods retailers. The Department of Justice must enforce this bill and report annually on the resulting investigations and cases.
Maddy summaryThe TEACH Improvement Act of 2026 amends the Higher Education Act to update rules for the TEACH Grant program, which provides financial assistance to students pursuing careers in teaching. The bill establishes stricter eligibility criteria for institutions offering these grants, requiring them to demonstrate high-quality teacher preparation and support services. It also introduces new accountability measures that could restrict an institution's ability to offer grants if too many recipients fail to meet their service obligations, such as converting their grants into loans. Additionally, the legislation clarifies rules for post-baccalaureate students, expands the list of high-need teaching fields, and mandates regular reporting on program performance and loan conversion rates.
Maddy summaryThe Jewish American Security Act aims to combat antisemitism by strengthening protections for Jewish students, securing Jewish communities, and increasing transparency regarding online hate speech. For educational institutions receiving federal funds, the bill mandates the creation of specific coordinators to handle discrimination complaints, requires annual training on handling antisemitism, and establishes a new federal clearinghouse to share best practices for campus safety. To support physical security, the legislation expands grant funding for nonprofit organizations and directs the Attorney General to provide resources for law enforcement agencies protecting houses of worship. Additionally, the act requires major online platforms with over 50 million monthly users to submit detailed reports to the Federal Trade Commission on how they detect, remove, and moderate antisemitic content.
Maddy summaryHR 4398, the Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act, requires Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians or nurse practitioners to certify the death of a veteran who dies of natural causes within 48 hours of learning of the death. This directly affects veterans' families, who previously faced delays of up to eight weeks in burial and access to survivor benefits due to slow death certifications. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on VA compliance with the 48-hour rule, including statistics on delays and their causes. The key change is establishing a strict timeline for death certification to prevent unnecessary delays in honoring veterans' final arrangements.
Maddy summaryThe Veterans to Advanced Manufacturing Plan Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a strategic action plan aimed at increasing veteran employment in advanced manufacturing industries. This plan requires the Department to identify specific barriers veterans face in hiring and training, as well as challenges employers encounter when recruiting and retaining these workers. The Secretary must also analyze regional needs, highlight the unique skills veterans bring to the field, and consult with industry leaders and educational institutions to develop effective solutions. Ultimately, the bill mandates the publication of a document outlining short- and long-term actions to improve veteran participation in this specific workforce sector.
Maddy summaryThe Stop Lawmakers From Predicting Act prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children from trading on prediction markets regarding government policies, actions, political outcomes, or any events related to their congressional duties. This restriction applies to any purchase, sale, or agreement dependent on these specific outcomes while the individual is in federal service. If a covered individual violates these rules, they must pay a fee equal to the greater of $2,000 or 10% of the transaction value, plus any net profit made from the trade. The law also forbids paying these penalties using personal allowances, campaign funds, or other official accounts, and it requires the supervising ethics office to issue guidance on how to interpret the new restrictions.
Maddy summaryHR 941, the Small LENDER Act, creates a 3-year compliance period and a subsequent 2-year penalty-free period for small lenders required to report small business lending data under a new rule. It directly affects financial institutions that originated at least 500 small business loans in each of the previous two years (defined as loans to businesses with under $1 million annual revenue). The bill delays full enforcement of new data reporting requirements, giving lenders time to adjust without penalties during the grace periods. This changes how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enforces reporting rules for smaller lenders focused on small business loans.
Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act This bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act. The act requires existing companies and newly created companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for purposes of addressing the financing of terrorism and money laundering.
Maddy summaryThe Child Care Modernization Act of 2026 updates federal rules to help states create flexible child care systems that offer parents more choices across different settings like homes, centers, and schools. It expands eligibility for assistance to include children of parents who are job seekers, students, or those receiving health treatment, while also raising the income limit for some families. The bill requires states to use cost-based models to set payment rates that cover provider expenses and mandates the creation of new grants to help build and expand child care facilities. Additionally, it establishes new reporting requirements to track how much families spend on care and measures progress on improving workforce quality and access.