Maddy summaryThe Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 aims to create more predictable payment amounts for physicians by modifying how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services calculates fee schedules. It raises the financial threshold for certain budget adjustments from $20 million to $57.64 million starting in 2028 and requires these amounts to be adjusted every five years based on inflation data. The bill also mandates that the government update the costs of staff wages and medical supplies used to calculate payments at least once every five years and limits how much the overall payment rate can change from one year to the next to no more than 2.5 percent. These changes directly affect doctors and healthcare providers who receive Medicare payments, ensuring their reimbursement rates remain more stable and better aligned with actual costs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Kidd's Stuttering Act requires Medicaid and CHIP programs to include screening for childhood-onset fluency disorders, such as stuttering, in well-child visits for children aged 2 to 6. Starting in 2028, these screenings must be added to standard health quality measures, and by 2029, states must provide coverage for specific speech therapy services treating these disorders. The law ensures that coverage for stuttering therapy is not more restrictive than coverage for other speech and language disorders and allows these services to be delivered via telehealth. Additionally, managed care organizations and insurance plans must follow established rules to guarantee equal access to these treatments.
Maddy summaryThe Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act aims to strengthen the United States' role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor by prioritizing diplomatic and strategic cooperation with Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. It directs the Secretary of State to institutionalize multilateral dialogues, focus foreign policy efforts on energy security and defense in the region, and maintain leadership in existing initiatives like the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. Additionally, the bill requires federal officials to submit annual reports on implementation progress and to study the feasibility of creating new bilateral research and development programs with these nations, similar to those currently established with Israel.
Maddy summaryThe Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 aims to support Iranian citizens' access to information and human rights by expanding U.S. government efforts to promote internet freedom in Iran. The bill requires the State Department to coordinate internet freedom initiatives, develop technologies to circumvent internet blackouts (including satellite internet and mesh networks), and increase funding for programs that provide Iranians with tools to access open internet services. It also establishes procedures for identifying and sanctioning individuals who support the Iranian regime's human rights abuses. The legislation directly affects U.S. government agencies, Iranian citizens seeking to access information, and organizations working to support internet freedom in Iran.
Maddy summaryThe SAFE Drugs Act of 2026 restricts pharmacies, facilities, and physicians from compounding more than 20 times in a single month for out-of-state patients any drug that is essentially a copy of a commercially available product (e.g., containing the same active ingredient without a significant patient-specific difference). It requires these providers to submit annual reports to the federal government detailing the types of drugs compounded and the frequency for such out-of-state compounding, with reports due by year-end. The bill also mandates initial and biennial inspections for large-scale compounding facilities (those compounding over 100 times yearly) and adjusts the base fee for compounding registration to be set by the Secretary. Hospital pharmacies are exempt from the reporting requirement.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax exemption for money received by individuals who participate in approved clinical trials, allowing them to keep compensation and expense reimbursements without paying federal income tax. It also ensures that these payments are not counted as income or resources when determining eligibility for federal or federally funded assistance programs. The changes apply to any payments made after December 31, 2025, and are designed to help participants in studies covering a broader range of diseases and conditions.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal exemption from antitrust laws for private companies that share information or coordinate actions to protect against specific artificial intelligence security risks. It defines these risks as scenarios where AI could be stolen, weaponized, used to create dangerous weapons, disrupt critical infrastructure, or evade oversight by authorities. To qualify for this protection, companies must act in good faith, use the shared information solely for security purposes, and notify the Department of Justice before any coordinated efforts to delay or limit AI development. The law also ensures that information shared with the government remains confidential and allows the Attorney General to seek court orders if a company fails to prove it acted properly or if the actions ultimately increase security risks.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution directs the Federal Trade Commission to investigate alleged antitrust violations within the fire truck manufacturing industry. The bill specifically asks the agency to examine practices such as price fixing, price gouging, serial acquisitions, and monopolization that may have led to rising costs and long delivery times for fire departments. The investigation must also assess the impact of these practices on public safety and provide recommendations for potential legislative or remedial actions. If companies fail to respond to the FTC's information requests, the commission is required to report on that non-compliance to Congress.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Calumet region in Indiana and Illinois as a National Heritage Area, formally establishing a framework to preserve and promote its unique industrial, cultural, and natural resources. It specifies the boundaries (covering parts of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties in Indiana and adjacent Illinois areas) and names the Calumet Heritage Partnership as the local coordinating entity responsible for managing the area. The bill requires the local entity to submit a management plan within three years and sets a 15-year limit on federal funding for the initiative. This designation directly affects residents, tourism, and conservation efforts in the region by creating a structured approach to protect sites like Indiana Dunes National Park and historical industrial landscapes.
Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.