Legislative Activity

The Rural Health Training Opportunities Act aims to boost healthcare training in underserved areas by prioritizing grant applications that serve rural communities. It mandates that all funded projects must include a comprehensive plan to cover participant transportation costs. Furthermore, the Secretary must report annually to Congress on the success and rural focus of these demonstration projects.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 establishes a structured process for distributing up to 2,000 additional, federally funded residency positions annually between fiscal years 2026 and 2032. This distribution prioritizes hospitals serving in underserved areas, those already training above their limit, and those committed to primary care and general surgery training. The bill also mandates a study and report by the Comptroller General on effective strategies to increase diversity within the health professional workforce.

This bill establishes a five-year pilot program allowing individuals to treat pregnancy as a qualifying event for enrolling in TRICARE Select outside of standard enrollment periods. The Secretary of Defense must implement this program within 180 days and provide annual reports to Congress detailing enrollment changes made under this new provision. This aims to offer greater flexibility in healthcare plan selection during pregnancy for eligible beneficiaries.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 aims to increase the number of federally funded residency positions by 2,000 annually through 2032 to address physician shortages. It prioritizes distributing these new training slots to hospitals serving underserved populations and those already training above their limits. Additionally, the bill mandates a study on strategies to improve healthcare workforce diversity and establishes new grant programs to develop accredited medical residency programs specifically located in rural areas.

The Bridge to Medicaid Act of 2025 aims to increase health coverage affordability for low-income populations by enhancing ACA subsidies and cost-sharing reductions through 2028. It temporarily removes income limits for premium tax credits and provides special enrollment periods for those earning up to 138% of the poverty line. Additionally, the bill extends enhanced federal matching rates for state Medicaid programs covering newly eligible individuals through 2028.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

The Rosa Parks Day Act officially establishes Rosa Parks Day as a legal public holiday in the United States. This amendment updates federal law to include Rosa Parks Day alongside existing holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Consequently, federal employees and operations will observe this new national holiday.

This bill supports the designation of January 31, 2025, as "Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day" to increase awareness of the EITC and other refundable tax credits. It recognizes the EITC's positive impact on poverty reduction and local economies. The bill encourages outreach to ensure that eligible workers claim these valuable tax benefits.