Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Republican · ME · 14 bills sponsored
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of medical nutrition therapy services under the Medicare program.
# Summary of S 3934: Medical Nutrition Therapy Expansion **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would expand Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services—specialized nutrition counseling provided by registered dietitians to help manage medical conditions. Currently, Medicare covers MNT only for patients with diabetes, kidney disease, or post-kidney transplant. The bill aims to broaden this coverage to include additional medical conditions where nutrition therapy could benefit patients, though the specific conditions are not detailed in the available information. **Who It Affects** The bill would primarily affect Medicare beneficiaries (people age 65 and older, plus some younger disabled individuals) who could benefit from nutrition counseling for conditions currently not covered. It would also impact registered dietitians and nutrition professionals who provide these services, potentially expanding their ability to bill Medicare for their work. **Current Status** S 3934 is currently in committee as of the 119th Congress, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. The bill was sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine). No additional details about specific conditions included or implementation methods are available from the summary provided.
A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to permit disabled individuals to elect to receive disability insurance benefits during the disability insurance benefit waiting period, and for other purposes.
# Summary of S. 3924 **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would change Social Security disability rules to allow people with disabilities to start receiving their disability insurance benefits sooner. Currently, there is a five-month waiting period after someone is approved for disability before they can receive any benefits. This bill would let disabled individuals choose to receive their benefits during that waiting period rather than having to wait. The phrase "and for other purposes" suggests the bill may contain additional provisions not detailed in the title. **Who It Affects and Current Status** The bill primarily affects people who have been approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and are waiting for their benefits to begin. It would provide financial relief to disabled individuals during a vulnerable time when they've lost work capacity but haven't yet started receiving support. As of now, the bill is in committee, meaning it has been introduced in the Senate but hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full chamber. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) is the sponsor.
Accounting STEM Pursuit Act
# Accounting STEM Pursuit Act (S 3784) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act aims to promote careers in accounting by designating accounting as a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field. This classification would make accounting eligible for various federal benefits and programs currently reserved for STEM disciplines, such as grants, scholarships, student loan forgiveness programs, and tax incentives designed to encourage Americans to pursue careers in these high-demand fields. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill would primarily benefit accounting students and professionals by expanding their access to STEM-related federal support programs. It would affect educational institutions offering accounting programs, which could see increased federal funding opportunities. The change would also influence employers seeking to hire accounting professionals, as it could expand the talent pipeline through increased educational incentives. **Current Status** As of now, the bill remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) introduced the measure. For the bill to become law, it would need to pass out of committee, receive a Senate vote, pass the House, and be signed by the President.
Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025
# Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025 **What the Bill Would Do** This bill aims to improve how federal employees receive workers' compensation benefits when they're injured on the job. While the specific details aren't publicly available yet, the bill's title suggests it would make it easier for federal workers to access compensation they're entitled to receive for work-related injuries or illnesses. The legislation is designed to address potential barriers or delays that federal employees currently face when filing claims or receiving benefits. **Who It Affects** The bill would primarily affect federal government employees across all agencies—from postal workers to military civilian employees to others working directly for the federal government. It could also indirectly affect federal agencies themselves and the workers' compensation system that processes these claims. **Current Status** As of now, the bill is in committee, meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet advanced to a full Senate vote. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) sponsored the legislation. Without additional details on the bill's specific provisions, it's unclear exactly what changes would be made to the current workers' compensation system, but the stated goal is to streamline access and improve the process for injured federal workers.
ASAP Act
# ASAP Act Summary I'd be happy to help, but I need more information to provide you with an accurate summary. The details you've provided show that S 3267 is in committee, but don't include the bill's actual text or description of what it would do. To give you a proper plain-language explanation, I would need access to: - The bill's stated purpose and key provisions - Which committees it's assigned to - The specific policy areas it addresses **I'd recommend checking:** - Congress.gov (search "S 3267") for the full text and summary - The bill sponsor's official website for their description - Recent news coverage if the bill has received attention If you can share the bill's purpose or key provisions, I'm happy to help translate those into plain language for a general audience!
CARE Act of 2025
# CARE Act of 2025 Summary I don't have access to the specific details of S. 3145 (CARE Act of 2025) in my training data, so I cannot provide an accurate summary of what this bill would actually do. While I can see it's a Senate bill sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) currently in committee, providing details about its provisions without verified information could be misleading. **To get accurate information about this bill, I'd recommend:** - Visiting **Congress.gov** and searching for "S 3145" to read the full text - Checking Senator Collins' official website for her legislative summary - Looking at committee hearing records if any have been held If you can share the bill's text or a reliable summary, I'd be happy to help explain it in plain language.
Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act
# Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill reauthorizes and extends federal funding for tick-borne disease research and prevention programs. It builds on existing initiatives to combat illnesses transmitted by ticks, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The legislation essentially says the government can continue spending money on these programs rather than letting current authorizations expire. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects public health agencies, research institutions, and Americans at risk for tick-borne diseases. States with significant tick populations and Lyme disease cases would likely benefit from continued research funding and prevention efforts. Healthcare providers and patients dealing with these infections could also be indirectly affected through improved treatments and prevention strategies. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill (S 2398) remains in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. It was introduced by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), a state where Lyme disease is common. The bill has not advanced to final passage, meaning it's still in the early legislative process.
Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act
# Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act (S 2699) Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act aims to address a growing shortage of doctors and healthcare professionals who specialize in caring for elderly patients. The bill would support efforts to train more geriatricians (specialists in aging medicine) and other healthcare workers focused on elder care. This includes measures to make geriatrics careers more attractive to medical students and professionals through various incentives and training programs. **Who It Affects** The bill directly impacts older Americans who need specialized medical care, as well as medical students and healthcare professionals considering geriatrics as a career path. It also affects healthcare institutions, medical schools, and hospitals involved in training these specialists. The broader healthcare system would benefit from having more professionals equipped to handle the unique medical needs of aging populations. **Current Status** As of now, the bill remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. This is the early stage of the legislative process, where committees review and debate proposed legislation before it can move forward for a broader vote.
Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act
# Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act (S 2399) — Summary **What It Would Do** This bill, introduced by Senator Susan Collins of Maine, is designed to provide economic support to logging workers and timber industry communities. While the bill's specific provisions aren't detailed in the available information, bills with this title typically aim to offer financial assistance, job training, or other relief measures to loggers and forest product workers who may be facing economic hardship. **Who It Affects** The bill would primarily affect loggers, timber workers, and logging-dependent communities, likely concentrated in states like Maine and other regions with significant forestry industries. It could potentially impact timber companies, local governments that rely on logging revenue, and workers transitioning to different employment. **Current Status** As of now, S 2399 is in committee, meaning it has been referred to the appropriate Senate committee for review and discussion but has not yet been brought to a full Senate vote. The bill would need to pass committee review and gain broader Senate support before it could advance further in the legislative process.
Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2025
# Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would extend and reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program (SDP), a federal initiative that funds diabetes research and prevention efforts. By reauthorizing the program, Congress would continue its existing funding and activities rather than allowing them to expire. The specific funding amounts and program details are not available in the current bill summary. **Who It Affects:** The bill would benefit people with diabetes, researchers studying diabetes treatments and prevention, and healthcare organizations involved in diabetes care. It could also impact states and federally qualified health centers that receive SDP funding for diabetes education and screening programs. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill (S 2211) is in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the bill. Without additional details on the proposed funding level or specific programmatic changes, it's unclear whether this is a routine reauthorization of existing programs or if it includes new provisions. The bill would need to pass committee review and Senate votes before becoming law.
Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025
# Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025 **What the Bill Does:** This bill aims to strengthen federal protections and support services for runaway and homeless youth, with a focus on preventing human trafficking. While specific provisions aren't detailed in the available information, bills with this title typically expand funding and programs for shelters, counseling services, and intervention programs that help at-risk youth. They often address coordination between local, state, and federal agencies to identify and assist vulnerable young people before they fall into trafficking situations. **Who It Affects:** The legislation primarily targets runaway and homeless youth under 18, as well as young adults aging out of foster care. It would also affect service providers, shelters, and social service agencies that work with these populations. State and local governments would likely be involved in implementing expanded programs. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill (S 2012) is in committee in the Senate, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full chamber. It was introduced by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) in the 119th Congress. The bill remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act
# Summary: Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act **What it does:** This bill would expand who can authorize Medicare coverage for special therapeutic shoes prescribed to people with diabetes. Currently, only doctors (physicians) can fill out the paperwork needed for Medicare to pay for these shoes. The bill would allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to do this as well. **Who it affects:** The change would primarily benefit Medicare patients with diabetes who need special shoes to prevent foot complications. It could also make the process easier for healthcare providers and potentially reduce wait times for patients seeking this coverage. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (S 1805, 119th Congress) and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. It was introduced by Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine.
District of Columbia Local Funds Act, 2025
# District of Columbia Local Funds Act, 2025 – Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill approves Washington, D.C.'s spending plan for fiscal year 2025. It allows the District to use its locally-generated revenue (from taxes and fees collected within D.C.) to fund government programs and services according to the budget it previously adopted. Essentially, the bill gives congressional approval that is legally required for D.C. to spend its own money. **Who It Affects** The bill directly affects D.C. residents and the District government's ability to operate. It impacts funding for local services like schools, public safety, transportation, and social programs. Unlike most U.S. states, Washington, D.C. must obtain congressional approval before spending its locally-raised funds—a unique requirement stemming from Congress's constitutional authority over the District. **Current Status** The bill has already passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House of Representatives. This is a routine annual process; Congress approves D.C.'s local budget each fiscal year as required by law.
Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2025
# Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Care Program, a federal initiative that provides temporary care services for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses. "Respite care" is short-term relief care that allows primary caregivers (often family members) to take a break from their caregiving duties. The bill essentially extends the program's funding and authorization so it can continue operating beyond its current expiration date. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill directly impacts family caregivers and their loved ones who depend on care—including children with disabilities, adults with chronic conditions, and elderly individuals. It also affects states and organizations that provide these respite care services. While specific new provisions aren't detailed in the available information, reauthorization bills typically maintain existing program structures while updating funding levels and operational requirements. **Current Status** The bill (S 830) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and is currently in committee, meaning it's under review and hasn't yet been brought to a full Senate vote. No timeline for further action has been announced.