Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Maddy summaryHR 2004, titled "Tyler’s Law," requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study how often hospital emergency departments test for fentanyl during overdose cases (beyond standard drug tests), including associated costs, patient benefits/risks, and impacts on privacy and patient-physician relationships. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment. Based on the study results, the Secretary must issue guidance within six months on whether emergency departments should routinely test for fentanyl, how to inform clinicians about test contents, and how such testing may affect future overdose risks and health outcomes. This bill directly affects hospital emergency departments and patients experiencing overdoses by shaping future testing protocols.

Maddy summaryHR 1266, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, adds xylazine - a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug mixtures - to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, regulating its use and trafficking. It directly affects veterinarians, animal owners, and manufacturers by allowing xylazine to be legally dispensed for animal use under specific veterinary prescriptions, while prohibiting non-veterinary human use. The bill includes transition periods (60 days for practitioners, 1 year for labeling) to ease compliance for manufacturers and practitioners, and requires the DEA and FDA to expedite necessary applications. It also mandates two congressional reports on xylazine's illicit use and trafficking patterns, and directs the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for offenses involving xylazine.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new passenger vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. to include AM radio as standard equipment (not an optional add-on) by 2027-2028, depending on manufacturer size. It mandates that AM radio receivers must be easily accessible to drivers and allows compliance through digital AM broadcast technology. During a transition period, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio but cannot charge extra for this feature. The bill also mandates a GAO study on AM radio's role in emergency alerts and includes a 10-year sunset provision for the rule. It preempts state laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Approved Care Act would amend Medicare Advantage rules to prevent insurance companies from retroactively denying coverage for medical services that have already been approved or received by patients. Starting in 2028, plans would be prohibited from rejecting claims based on a lack of medical necessity if the service was authorized during the patient's care or did not require prior approval. Additionally, insurers could only reopen payment decisions or lower reimbursement amounts if there is good cause or reliable evidence of fraud, thereby protecting beneficiaries from unexpected claim reversals after treatment has occurred.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution supports designating the week of September 14 through September 18, 2026, as National Clean Energy Week to highlight the growth of zero- and low-emission energy sources. The bill cites a Department of Energy report stating that the U.S. energy sector employed approximately 8.5 million people at the end of 2024 and emphasizes that clean energy jobs are local and cannot be outsourced. It encourages federal, state, and private entities to invest in affordable clean technologies and specifically applauds the work of Department of Energy National Laboratories across multiple states.

Maddy summaryHR 4707 designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, as the "Martin L. Graber Post Office." The bill updates all official federal references - such as in laws, maps, and documents - to use this new name for the facility. It does not change operations, funding, or services at the post office. This is a naming resolution with no substantive policy impact, solely commemorating Martin L. Graber.

Maddy summaryHR 5267, the American Franchise Act, clarifies when franchisors can be considered joint employers of franchisee employees under federal labor laws. It defines "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential employment terms like wages, benefits, hours, hiring, and discipline - requiring franchisors to actively set these terms to be deemed joint employers. The bill explicitly excludes routine brand standards, training, or minimal safety requirements from constituting such control. This directly affects franchisors and franchisees by limiting joint employer liability to cases where franchisors exert significant, ongoing influence over core employment decisions. The law applies prospectively to new cases after enactment, not past disputes.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by formally honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders, military personnel, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The bill acknowledges the ongoing health challenges faced by survivors and responders, highlighting the role of the World Trade Center Health Program in providing long-term medical support. It also credits charitable organizations and community groups that have continued to assist victims' families and veterans over the past two decades. Finally, the resolution urges the American public to observe the anniversary with ceremonies and reaffirms Congress's commitment to remembering the events and lessons of that day.

Maddy summaryThe End Gas Station Heroin Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to place 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in Schedule I, while exempting naturally occurring kratom products that meet specific low-concentration limits. The bill also creates a new enforcement mechanism for emerging synthetic opioids by treating them as Schedule I controlled substances when they are manufactured or distributed commercially. This provision applies to synthetic opioids that are more potent than morphine and not approved for medical use, but it explicitly prohibits criminal or civil penalties for simple possession or personal use.

Maddy summaryThe INSULIN Act of 2026 mandates that group and individual health insurance plans cap out-of-pocket costs for selected insulin products at $35 per 30-day supply, effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2028. This cost limit applies to a variety of insulin types and delivery devices, with the cap set at the lesser of $35 or 25 percent of the negotiated price net of concessions. The bill also prohibits insurers from imposing deductibles or prior authorization requirements for these covered products unless clinically justified for safety reasons. Additionally, the legislation directs the Department of Health and Human Services to fund a resource center and hotline to help uninsured individuals find affordable insulin assistance programs, while requiring the Government Accountability Office to study the demographics of uninsured insulin users. Finally, it creates an expedited review process for biosimilar insulin applications when the Secretary determines there is inadequate competition in the market.