Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Banking Act of 2026 aims to reduce legal risks for banks and credit unions that provide financial services to businesses operating marijuana or hemp industries under state laws. It establishes a "safe harbor" that prevents federal regulators from penalizing, terminating insurance for, or restricting these institutions solely because they serve state-sanctioned marijuana or hemp companies. The bill also clarifies that income from these businesses can be used to qualify for federally backed mortgages and protects banks from liability regarding money laundering charges when dealing with compliant state operations. Additionally, the legislation requires federal agencies to update guidance on how to handle suspicious activity reports for these sectors and mandates annual studies on access to financial services for minority and small businesses in the industry.

Maddy summaryThe Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026 allows licensed addiction medicine specialists to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder to be dispensed directly through pharmacies, rather than requiring patients to visit traditional treatment clinics. Under this bill, these practitioners must use electronic prescribing and can only dispense liquid or dispersible tablet formulations, while pharmacies do not need separate registration to handle these prescriptions. The law also permits telemedicine for maintenance or detoxification treatment and requires doctors to obtain informed consent from patients regarding how privacy protections differ between clinic and pharmacy settings. Additionally, the Attorney General can revoke a doctor's registration if a state requests it, and the Drug Enforcement Administration must report annually on the number of registered providers and pharmacies involved in the program.

Maddy summaryThe Investor Choice Act of 2026 aims to give retail investors more control over how they resolve disputes with financial companies by banning mandatory arbitration clauses. Specifically, the bill prohibits stock exchanges from listing securities issued by companies that force shareholders into arbitration, and it makes it illegal for brokers, dealers, and investment advisers to require clients to use arbitration or restrict their ability to join class-action lawsuits. These rules apply to new agreements made after the law is passed, while existing contracts are only voided if no arbitration process has already started. By removing these forced arbitration requirements, the legislation allows investors to choose whether to settle disputes in court or through arbitration based on their own judgment.

Maddy summaryThe Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes Congress to award a gold medal to individuals who fought for or with the United States in the Pacific theater during World War II and were taken as prisoners of war. This recognition specifically honors those who participated in the defense of Bataan and Corregidor, including Filipino soldiers and civilians who served alongside American forces, as well as nurses and other personnel who endured the Bataan Death March and subsequent imprisonment. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the medal, which will be presented to the Smithsonian Institution for display, while also permitting the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

Maddy summaryThe SAFER Health Act of 2026 strengthens privacy protections for individuals by prohibiting healthcare providers and related entities from disclosing information about abortions or pregnancy losses in legal proceedings without the individual's explicit consent. This rule applies to all types of legal cases, including civil, criminal, and administrative matters, with specific exceptions for defending against professional liability claims or investigating physical harm caused to the individual. The bill also requires health IT systems to separate this sensitive data from other records and mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services update existing regulations to enforce these privacy standards. Additionally, the law preempts any conflicting state laws that offer less privacy protection for this specific type of medical information.

Maddy summaryThe Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act aims to combat unpaid wages by strengthening penalties, improving worker protections, and funding community enforcement efforts. It directly affects employers who may underpay workers and employees who face wage theft, particularly low-wage workers, immigrants, and minorities. Key provisions require employers to provide detailed pay stubs and final payments within 14 days of termination, while also granting workers the right to full compensation as agreed in employment contracts. The bill increases civil fines and criminal penalties for violations, extends the time limit for filing wage claims, and establishes a grant program to support partnerships between the Department of Labor and community organizations.

Maddy summaryThe MOMMIES Act expands Medicaid and CHIP coverage for low-income pregnant individuals by extending postpartum benefits from 60 days to one year and mandating full coverage of oral health services during this period. To support these changes, the bill includes a maintenance of effort provision that prevents states from reducing eligibility standards or benefit levels for pregnant individuals until 2027, alongside a 100 percent federal funding match for states that increase spending on this population. A major component is a five-year demonstration project that provides grants to states to implement maternity care home models, which coordinate comprehensive medical and social support services like housing assistance and mental health care to improve birth equity and outcomes. The legislation also requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to issue guidance on covering doula services and directs the Government Accountability Office to study the use of telehealth and gaps in coverage for pregnant and postpartum people.

Maddy summaryThe Milk From Family Dairies Act of 2026 establishes a new Dairy Market Stabilization Program to regulate milk production and pricing for commercial dairy producers across the United States. This program sets a variable floor price for milk based on production costs and limits how much milk each producer can sell without paying a fee, while redistributing those fees as dividends to producers who stay within their limits. The bill creates regional boards with producer representation to oversee these rules and includes a five-year referendum to determine if the program should continue. Additionally, the legislation suspends existing federal dairy insurance programs, increases import fees and lowers dairy import quotas, and provides funding for infrastructure and training aimed at supporting small-scale and family dairies.

Maddy summaryThe Medicare Cost Cap Act of 2026 establishes a $5,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket costs for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries starting in 2028, after which Medicare will cover 100% of additional covered expenses. This protection applies to all individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B and includes tracking mechanisms to notify patients and providers once the cap is reached. The bill also modifies eligibility rules for low-income assistance programs, aligning income thresholds between Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid and expanding data sharing to streamline enrollment for qualifying beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThe Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act prohibits states and their officials from restricting or penalizing health care providers who offer reproductive health services that are legal in the state where they are performed. This includes banning laws that stop doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or their staff from providing abortion, contraception, or other reproductive care, as well as preventing the denial of professional liability insurance based on these services. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing providers to sue in federal court to challenge such restrictions and mandates that the federal government cannot use funds to support legal cases against providers acting within state law. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $80 million in grants to support legal defense funds for providers facing lawsuits and to improve physical and cybersecurity measures at health care facilities.