Sharice Davids

This bill exempts certain rural and underserved hospitals from federal payment limits on maternity, labor, and delivery services covered by Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and Medicare. The exemption applies to payments made for services furnished on or after July 4, 2025, and benefits rural hospitals, Indian Health Service hospitals, and other hospitals where at least half of all births involve patients covered by government insurance programs or who are uninsured. The legislation aims to ensure these hospitals can receive adequate reimbursement for maternity care without being constrained by existing federal payment caps, which could help preserve access to childbirth services in rural communities where hospital closures have threatened care availability. No specific new funding authorization is mentioned in the bill, as it primarily removes payment restrictions rather than appropriating new funds.

This bill would allow people diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease to enroll in Medicare before reaching the traditional eligibility age of 65, provided they would otherwise qualify for Medicare based on factors like work history. Individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's would receive the same Medicare benefits as regular beneficiaries, including hospital insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B), and prescription drug coverage (Part D), as well as access to Medicare Advantage plans and supplemental insurance policies. Eligible individuals would have a three-month enrollment period beginning after their diagnosis and would pay the same Medicare premiums as if they were 65 years old. The bill requires supplemental insurance providers to offer at least one Medigap policy to these younger beneficiaries in each state, with a six-month enrollment window following their Medicare enrollment. The Department of Health and Human Services must update its Medicare educational materials within 30 days of the bill's enactment to inform the public about this new coverage option.

The GAP Act (Guaranteeing Access to supplemental Plans Act) amends Medicare rules to create an annual enrollment period for Medicare supplemental insurance policies, beginning January 1, 2028. During this annual enrollment period, which will align with Medicare's existing annual election period, insurance companies must accept all applicants regardless of health status, medical condition, or claims history and cannot charge different prices based on these factors. The bill affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking to enroll in or switch supplemental insurance plans, as well as the insurance companies that sell these policies. Within 30 days of the bill's enactment, the Department of Health and Human Services must update Medicare's standard informational materials, including "Medicare & You" and "Welcome to Medicare" notices, to inform beneficiaries about these new enrollment protections. Insurance companies that fail to comply with the guaranteed issue requirements will face the same penalties that apply to other Medicare supplemental policy violations.

This bill adjusts how states can make supplemental payments to healthcare providers through Medicaid. Beginning January 1, 2030, it caps these "state directed payments" at 200 percent of the Medicare rate for a service, though payments approved before July 1, 2028 will phase down gradually by 10 percent annually until they reach the new cap. The legislation requires states to report detailed data on these payments starting January 1, 2027, including information about which providers received money, how much was paid, and what services were covered. The bill also repeals two earlier provisions related to provider taxes from a previous law, rescinding the funding that was appropriated for those provisions. These changes primarily affect state Medicaid programs, healthcare providers, and managed care organizations that administer Medicaid benefits, with a focus on controlling costs while supporting rural healthcare delivery.

The Access to Community Care Act of 2026 amends federal law to prioritize applications from healthcare providers seeking to expand services in underserved areas. Specifically, the bill gives priority consideration to eligible entities that want to expand primary care services in communities that have recently lost a federally qualified health center, experienced a declared public health emergency, or dealt with a major disaster or emergency within the past year or four years depending on the circumstance. This applies to applications submitted under the Public Health Service Act's existing community health center program. The legislation is designed to help fill gaps in healthcare access that result from facility closures or crises, ensuring that vulnerable populations maintain or regain access to essential medical services. No specific funding authorization or implementation timeline is included in the bill text provided.

This bill adjusts Medicare reimbursement rates for certified registered nurse anesthetists, primarily to support surgical services in rural hospitals. The legislation increases the threshold for certain cost pass-through payments from 500 to 1,250 surgical procedures and removes hour-of-service limits for hospitals that maintain active labor and delivery units, effective January 1, 2027. The bill also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review these limits at least every two years in consultation with the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and adjust them based on increases in surgical procedure frequency. Additionally, Medicare payment limits will increase annually by the Medicare Economic Index to account for inflation. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment examining whether on-call anesthetist services should be included in the payment system and recommending sustainable payment modifications.

The Healthy Communities Act of 2026 reforms the health insurance marketplace by establishing permanent rules for enrollment and cracking down on fraud. Beginning in 2026, the bill locks in the annual open enrollment period from November 1 through January 15 each year, giving consumers a consistent window to sign up or change their coverage. The legislation strengthens oversight of insurance agents and brokers through civil penalties of $10,000 to $50,000 for negligent misstatements and up to $200,000 for intentional fraud, along with criminal penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment for knowing false information. It also requires exchanges to verify consumer consent before processing applications, delay agent commissions until discrepancies are resolved, conduct regular audits of agents based on complaints and fraud indicators, and remove deceased individuals from plans within 90 days. Additionally, starting January 1, 2027, exchanges must inform consumers of their premium tax credit amounts before they enroll, enhancing transparency and protecting consumers from fraudulent enrollment practices.

This bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to publish a yearly report assessing how dependent the United States is on imported materials and equipment used in fermentation-based biomanufacturing. The assessment will focus on inputs used in different types of fermentation processes, biomass processing equipment, and commercial-grade fermentation tanks ranging from 1 to over 75,000 liters in capacity. The legislation affects the biomanufacturing industry and policymakers who need to understand U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities in this growing sector. The bill does not specify funding amounts or implementation timelines beyond the requirement for annual reports. By identifying dependencies on imported biomanufacturing inputs, the bill aims to help Congress develop policies that strengthen domestic production capabilities in this strategic industry.

This resolution designates the week of September 27 through October 3, 2026, as "National Orange Shirt Week" or "National Week of Remembrance" to honor those affected by Indian boarding schools. The resolution documents the historical policy of forcing American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children into federally funded, church-run boarding schools from 1819 through the 1960s, where hundreds of thousands of children were subjected to abuse, neglect, and cultural suppression designed to strip them of their Indigenous identities and languages. The resolution acknowledges the documented lasting harms of these policies, including high rates of intergenerational trauma, mental health crises, suicide, and health disparities that continue to affect Native communities today. It references research showing that 75 percent of Indian boarding school survivors attempted suicide and that many children died in these institutions and were buried in unmarked graves. The resolution calls for greater public awareness and accountability regarding these historical injustices and their ongoing impacts on Native peoples.

The Born to Invest Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create model guidance documents that help states inform new parents about tax-advantaged savings accounts for children. Specifically, the guidance would assist state treasurers in educating parents and guardians about three types of accounts: Trump accounts, qualified ABLE programs for people with disabilities, and qualified tuition programs for education savings. The bill also calls for coordination between state treasurers and state health departments to share birth records so that states can reach parents of newborns with this information. The Treasury Department would work with the Health and Human Services Department to develop these resources. While no specific funding amount is mentioned in the legislation, the bill aims to make it easier for families to start saving for their children's futures through existing tax-favored investment accounts.

The Survivor Benefits Application Modernization Act directs the Social Security Administration to modernize how survivors apply for benefits under Social Security. Specifically, the bill requires the agency to create an online portal within 180 days where applicants can schedule appointments for survivor benefits, and to develop a full online application system within one year. These changes affect families who lose a wage earner and depend on survivor benefits to help cover living expenses. The bill authorizes whatever funding is necessary for these improvements but does not specify an exact dollar amount. Within three years of implementation, the Social Security Administration must report to Congress on how the changes affect application numbers, implementation costs or savings, and any changes in fraudulent applications.

The REACH Our Tribes Act requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a formal consultation process with tribal governments on budgetary and farm policy matters, with at least annual meetings and 30 days advance notice to participating tribes. The department must also create a public reporting system showing how much funding flows to tribal entities through agriculture programs and identify ways to increase tribal participation in underutilized programs. Additionally, the bill creates an interagency task force led by the Agriculture Department to streamline application requirements and reduce administrative burdens for economic development programs across the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Housing and Urban Development. Finally, the Commerce Department must develop and maintain a comprehensive, publicly accessible repository of federal economic development programs available to tribal entities, updated at least every two years. The bill establishes these requirements within one to twelve months of enactment and does not specify dedicated funding amounts.

The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act of 2026 amends federal food distribution programs to require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to consult with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations before evaluating contracts for food distribution on reservations and to incorporate their feedback throughout the evaluation process. The bill also addresses supply chain disruptions by requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to designate an emergency warehouse contractor within 45 days if a shortage impedes food distribution, and authorizing direct payments to Tribes to purchase domestically produced foods that meet nutritional standards. The legislation applies to the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, with the department required to provide annual consultations and technical assistance to ensure state agencies properly engage with Tribal officials on program amendments. Any emergency payments to Tribes cannot exceed the amount the department would normally spend on that Tribe during the same period, protecting the existing funding structure.

The USDA Field Office Stability Act would prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating county and field offices operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, and other USDA county service centers. The bill includes two exceptions: offices located within 20 miles of another similar office (unless in a different state) could still be consolidated, and offices may be relocated within the same county as part of routine lease management. The legislation also requires the USDA to maintain minimum staffing levels at these local service centers to ensure they remain open and accessible to the public during regular business hours. This bill would directly affect farmers, rural residents, and agricultural businesses that depend on accessing USDA services at local offices, as well as USDA employees working in these field operations. The legislation includes no specific new funding authorization or implementation timeline.

The Respect Tribal IDs Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop and implement comprehensive training for all officers and employees involved in immigration enforcement within 180 days of the law's enactment. The training, developed in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian tribes, must cover how to properly interact with Native Americans, identify and accept tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship, and understand the federal government's trust responsibility to tribes. All DHS immigration enforcement officers must complete this training annually and whenever assigned to a new region, with the curriculum including scenario-based exercises, a database of tribal document examples, and historical context about Native American citizenship. The bill affects DHS personnel nationwide who enforce immigration laws and benefits Native Americans by ensuring their tribal identification documents are recognized and respected during immigration enforcement encounters. The Secretary of Homeland Security must report on the training program's development to Congress within one year of the law's enactment.

The Truth in National Parks Act requires the National Park Service to ensure that exhibits and educational materials at national parks are historically and culturally accurate. The bill prevents the removal or alteration of accurate interpretive materials unless they are being updated with new accurate information or replaced with new exhibits, and it requires the National Park Service to consult with relevant communities and Indian Tribes before making such changes. Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the National Park Service must restore any historically accurate materials that were removed, obscured, or altered between January 20, 2025, and the bill's passage. Additionally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to submit a report within one year examining co-stewardship agreements between Indigenous communities and federal agencies and offering recommendations to improve these partnerships. The legislation affects all units of the National Park System and applies to both physical exhibits and online educational materials.

The 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act directs the Small Business Administration to develop a curriculum for retired business executives in the SCORE program to teach entrepreneurship to students at community learning centers, particularly those serving disadvantaged youth. The bill requires the SBA to work with education specialists, business groups, and organizations serving underrepresented children when creating the curriculum, and to collaborate with the Department of Education on implementing the program. The legislation encourages SCORE volunteers to work alongside other small business development programs and women's and minority business centers when teaching entrepreneurship. The bill mandates that the SBA submit reports to Congress every two years starting within one year of enactment, documenting how many students were reached, how funds were used, and any barriers or improvements needed for the program. No specific funding amounts are authorized in the bill.

The SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026 would change how the Supplemental Security Income program counts income for eligibility purposes by excluding in-kind support and maintenance from income calculations. In-kind support refers to non-cash assistance such as food, housing, or other goods provided directly to recipients. The bill would simplify SSI rules by removing the current treatment of in-kind items as countable income, making it easier for recipients to qualify for and maintain benefits. The legislation would take effect one year after it becomes law. The bill primarily affects low-income elderly, blind, and disabled individuals who receive SSI benefits and may receive support from family members or others in non-monetary forms.

The Data to Save Moms Act authorizes $10 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to establish and strengthen maternal mortality review committees in states and tribal organizations, with funding designed to increase community participation from racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with lived experience of maternal loss. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive review of how maternal health data is collected and measured, assess barriers to gathering demographic information, and issue a report within one year. Additionally, the legislation funds two separate research initiatives—a $2 million annual study on maternal mortality among American Indian and Alaska Native populations and a $10 million annual grant program for minority-serving institutions—both running through 2029-2031, to investigate disparities and develop policy recommendations. These provisions are designed to address disproportionately high maternal mortality rates in communities of color and Native American populations by improving data collection, community input, and targeted research into the causes and solutions for maternal health crises.

The Resilient Food Supply Chain and Affordability Act directs the Department of Agriculture to continue operating the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, which was originally created as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan. The key change in this bill is that it expands what program recipients can use their funding for by allowing them to support infrastructure projects related to meat and poultry products, in addition to the activities already permitted. This affects agricultural businesses, food processors, and other entities that receive grants or assistance through this program to strengthen local and regional food systems. The bill essentially keeps the existing program running while broadening its scope to address supply chain vulnerabilities in the meat and poultry sectors. No new funding amounts or specific timelines are specified in the legislation.

Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity ActThis bill provides statutory authority for the establishment of the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). The office must establish a working relationship with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations by targeting SBA programs relating to entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access to (1) establish or expand small businesses owned and controlled by individuals who are members of Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and (2) promote economic development in Indian country.

This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.

H.R. 7093, the "Afterschool ACCESS Act," would allow businesses and property owners to claim charitable tax deductions for donating the use of their property to community learning centers (afterschool and enrichment programs). Specifically, the bill permits deductions for providing real property and related equipment for educational purposes, as well as motor vehicles used to transport children to and from these centers. The deduction would be based on the fair market rental value of the property being donated each year. This change affects property owners and businesses that want to support afterschool programs while receiving a tax benefit, and it benefits community learning centers that currently rely on donations to operate. The bill would take effect for tax years beginning after it becomes law, with no specific funding amount allocated since it works through the tax code.

The Securing America's Fuels Act (SAF Act) increases tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel production under the existing clean fuel production credit program. The bill raises the credit rate for sustainable aviation fuel from 20 cents to 35 cents per gallon at standard facilities, and from $1.00 to $1.75 per gallon at facilities meeting certain efficiency requirements. The legislation extends the program's expiration date from the end of 2029 to the end of 2033, giving fuel producers a longer window to benefit from the incentives. These changes apply to fuel produced after December 31, 2025, and aim to encourage domestic production of aviation fuel that meets international sustainability standards while avoiding certain feedstock sources like palm oil.

The Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025 increases federal funding and support for cleaning up abandoned or underutilized industrial and commercial properties known as brownfields. The bill doubles the maximum grant for individual site remediation from $500,000 to $1,000,000 and increases annual federal funding from $200 million to $250 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The legislation also expands state environmental programs to implement new cleanup initiatives in addition to enhancing existing ones. This bill affects state and local governments, developers, and environmental agencies working to restore contaminated sites for reuse. The increased resources aim to accelerate brownfield redevelopment projects across the country, helping revitalize communities and support economic development on previously polluted land.