Susan M. Collins

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to count a period of receipt of outpatient observation services in a hospital toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services under Medicare.

Medicare currently requires seniors to spend at least 3 days as an inpatient in a hospital before they can qualify for coverage of skilled nursing facility care, but this bill would allow time spent receiving observation services in a hospital outpatient department to count toward that 3-day requirement. This change would help Medicare beneficiaries who receive extended observation care qualify for nursing home coverage without having to be formally admitted as inpatients, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs for seniors needing post-hospital care.

A resolution expressing support for designation of the month of May 2026 as "Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Month".

The resolution would officially recognize May 2026 as a month dedicated to raising awareness about osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and affects millions of Americans, particularly older adults and women. This designation would encourage public health campaigns, educational efforts, and medical screenings to help people understand how to prevent bone loss and maintain bone health. The recognition aims to highlight the importance of early detection and prevention strategies for this common but often overlooked health condition.

A resolution recognizing the roles and contributions of the teachers of the United States in building and enhancing the civic, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States.

This resolution honors and recognizes the important work that teachers across the United States do in educating students and contributing to the nation's civic, cultural, and economic development. The measure passed the Senate unanimously and serves as an official acknowledgment of teachers' vital role in society, though it does not create any new laws or programs.

Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act of 2026

This bill would allow family members who provide unpaid care for relatives—such as elderly parents or disabled family members—to set aside money in a Roth IRA retirement account, which normally requires earned income to contribute. Currently, people who don't have a job or official income can't save for retirement this way, even if they're doing important caregiving work at home. The change would help family caregivers build retirement savings while they're focused on caring for loved ones.

Catching Up Family Caregivers Act of 2026

This bill would let family caregivers save more money for retirement by allowing them to contribute extra amounts to retirement accounts beyond the normal limits, recognizing that caregiving responsibilities may have reduced their earning years. The change would apply to people who take time out of the workforce or work part-time to care for family members, helping them catch up on retirement savings they missed during those caregiving years. This would primarily benefit middle-income families where one person steps back from work to provide care for children, elderly parents, or disabled relatives.

AFTER Act of 2026

The bill addresses animal-related policies, though the specific provisions aren't detailed in the available information. Based on its referral to the Agriculture Committee, it likely involves regulations or protections affecting livestock, pets, wildlife, or animal agriculture practices. The exact impact on farmers, pet owners, or animal welfare organizations will depend on the bill's detailed provisions once they're made public.

Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act

This bill would increase funding and support for training programs that prepare doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers to care for elderly patients, addressing a shortage of specialists in geriatric medicine. It aims to make careers in elder care more attractive through loan forgiveness programs, scholarships, and grants to medical schools and training institutions. The legislation would help ensure that as the population ages, there are enough qualified healthcare professionals available to meet seniors' medical needs.

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act

The government would create and sell special commemorative coins to honor firefighters who have died in the line of duty, with proceeds going toward a national memorial dedicated to fallen firefighters. This allows the U.S. Mint to produce these coins as a fundraising tool for the memorial project. The coins would be purchased by the public and collectors, with the money raised supporting the construction or maintenance of the memorial.

Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2026

Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2026 This bill expands Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services. Currently, Medicare covers such services for individuals with diabetes or kidney disease under certain circumstances; such services must also be provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional pursuant to a physician referral. The bill extends coverage to individuals with other diseases and conditions, including obesity, eating disorders, cancer, and HIV/AIDS; such services may also be referred by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or (for eating disorders) a clinical psychologist.

A resolution designating the week of February 23 through February 27, 2026, as "National Public Schools Week".

Congress is officially recognizing the week of February 23-27, 2026, as "National Public Schools Week" to honor and celebrate the role of public schools in American communities. This symbolic designation encourages people to acknowledge the contributions of teachers, staff, and students in public education systems across the country. The resolution has already passed the Senate unanimously.

We Can't Wait Act of 2026

Based on the title and social welfare focus, this bill likely aims to speed up the delivery of government assistance programs by reducing bureaucratic delays and streamlining how benefits reach eligible recipients. The changes would probably affect low-income individuals, families, and seniors who rely on programs like food assistance, housing support, or other welfare services. The bill's intent appears to be getting help to people faster rather than making them wait through lengthy application and approval processes.

Accounting STEM Pursuit Act

This bill aims to encourage more students to pursue careers in accounting and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields by likely creating educational programs, scholarships, or incentives that make these subjects more accessible and appealing. The legislation would probably affect high school and college students interested in these careers, as well as employers who need workers with these skills. The bill is still in early stages and has been sent to the Senate committee responsible for education policy.

A resolution designating December 13, 2025, as "National Wreaths Across America Day".

This resolution designates December 13, 2025, as National Wreaths Across America Day and honors the Wreaths Across America project, patriotic escort units, the U.S. trucking industry, and the volunteers and donors involved in this tradition. Additionally, the resolution recognizes the service and sacrifices of veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families.

Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act

Farmers whose land or water has been contaminated with PFAS chemicals (harmful "forever chemicals" used in manufacturing and firefighting) would receive financial assistance and support to address the contamination and its effects on their operations. The bill aims to help agricultural producers deal with the costs of testing, cleanup, and potential loss of crops or livestock affected by PFAS pollution. This would primarily benefit farmers in areas where PFAS contamination has damaged their ability to produce food or raise animals safely.

Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025

This bill would make it easier for federal employees who are injured on the job to receive workers' compensation benefits by improving how claims are processed and potentially expanding eligibility or benefits. The changes would affect federal workers across all government agencies who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses and need financial support while recovering. The bill aims to streamline the system so injured federal employees can get the help they need more quickly and reliably.

ASAP Act

I don't have enough information to write an accurate summary. The title "ASAP Act" is too vague, and the subjects listed only indicate it relates to health without specifying what policy area or problem it addresses. To provide a meaningful summary, I would need the bill's full title, its stated purpose, or details about what specific health issue it targets.

CARE Act of 2025

I don't have access to the specific details of the CARE Act of 2025 beyond its title and referral status. To write an accurate summary explaining what the bill would actually do, I would need information about its specific provisions and policy goals. Could you provide the bill's summary, key provisions, or a link to the full text?

Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act

The legislation reauthorizes federal funding and programs focused on preventing and treating tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. It would support research, education, and public health efforts to help reduce the spread of these illnesses that affect millions of Americans each year. The bill impacts public health agencies, researchers, and communities dealing with tick-borne disease outbreaks.

Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025

The legislation would expand federal programs and funding to help runaway and homeless youth, including providing shelter, counseling, and services to prevent trafficking and exploitation. It would support organizations that work directly with young people in crisis situations and aim to connect them with family reunification services or safe housing alternatives. The bill targets vulnerable teenagers and young adults who lack stable homes and are at risk of being trafficked or abused.

Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act

Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act This bill allows a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for coverage, under Medicare, of special shoes for diabetic individuals. Under current law, such requirements may be satisfied only by a physician.

A resolution recognizing the roles and contributions of the teachers of the United States in building and enhancing the civic, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States.

This resolution formally recognizes and honors the contributions that teachers make to American society by building students' civic knowledge, cultural understanding, and economic skills. The measure passed the Senate unanimously and serves as an official acknowledgment of teachers' important role in shaping the nation's future workforce and informed citizens.

Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2009

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a competitive program to provide between three and seven grants of up to $3 million in each of 3 years to advance research and development and to demonstrate technologies, including plug-in hybrid technology, for advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles (vehicles with a gross weight between 14,000 and 33,000 pounds that are fueled, in part, by a rechargeable energy storage system). Requires grant recipients to: (1) conduct research and demonstrate advanced hybrid technology by producing or retrofitting advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles; and (2) demonstrate advanced manufacturing processes and technologies by producing or retrofitting 50 advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles. Requires the Secretary: (1) to conduct research into alternative power train designs for use in advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles; and (2) acting through the Department of Energy's (DOE) National Laboratories and Technology Centers, to establish a pilot program to research and test the effects on the domestic electric power grid of the widespread use of plug-in hybrid vehicles, including those that are advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles. Amends the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary to conduct an applied research program on energy storage systems to support vehicles with a gross weight over 16,000 pounds.

A bill to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to conduct research, development, and demonstration to make biofuels more compatible with small nonroad engines, and for other purposes.

Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require the program of research, development, and demonstration relating to existing transportation fuel distribution infrastructure and new alternative distribution infrastructure to address: (1) the effects of such infrastructure on small engines; and (2) efforts to prevent or mitigate against adverse impacts of the use of biofuels in small nonroad engines.

Offshore Wind Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2009

Offshore Wind Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to: (1) improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of offshore wind turbines; and (2) reduce the cost of manufacturing, construction, deployment, generation, and maintenance of offshore wind energy systems. Requires the Secretary to implement the program to support: (1) the design, demonstration, and deployment of advanced wind turbine foundations and support structures, blades, turbine systems, components, and supporting land- and water-based infrastructure for application in shallow water, transitional depths, and deep offshore water; (2) the full-scale testing and establishment of regional demonstrations of offshore wind components and systems to validate technology and performance issues relating to the components; (3) assessments of the offshore wind resources for inclusion in a publicly accessible database; (4) the design, demonstration, and deployment of integrated sensors, actuators, and advanced materials; (5) advanced blade manufacturing activity to stimulate the development of the blade manufacturing capacity of the United States; and (6) methods to assess and mitigate the effects of wind energy systems on marine ecosystems and marine industries. Requires the Secretary to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education to establish national offshore wind centers. Requires such a center to be designed to: (1) focus on deepwater floating offshore wind energy technologies; and (2) facilitate the conduct of initiatives to advance program activities.

A bill to establish an Energy Assistance Fund to guarantee low-interest loans for the purchase and installation of qualifying energy efficient property, idling reduction and advanced insulation for heavy trucks, and alternative refueling stations, and for other purposes.

Establishes in the Treasury the Energy Assistance Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request of the Secretary concerned, to transfer amounts from the Fund to that Secretary to make or guarantee low-interest loans or grants to U.S. persons to purchase and install: (1) qualifying energy efficient property in their principal dwelling (i.e., solar powered property to heat water or generate electricity, fuel cells, or compliant stoves); (2) idling reduction devices or advanced insulation in heavy trucks; and (3) qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property at a station.