Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
Democrat · IL · 14 bills sponsored
To amend the HITECH Act to allow an individual to obtain a copy of such individual's protected health information at no cost unless certain circumstances apply, and for other purposes.
# HR 7790 Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would amend the HITECH Act (a healthcare privacy law) to allow individuals to request and receive copies of their own medical records for free in most cases. Currently, healthcare providers and insurers can charge fees for providing these copies. The bill would eliminate or significantly limit those fees, making it easier and cheaper for people to access their personal health information. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects patients and healthcare consumers who want copies of their medical records, as well as healthcare providers, hospitals, and insurance companies that currently charge fees for providing these records. Insurance companies and medical offices would need to adjust their practices and potentially absorb costs related to copying and sending records. **Current Status:** HR 7790 is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet advanced to a full House vote. The bill was sponsored by Representative Bill Foster, a Democrat from Illinois. No action has been taken on the bill at this time.
Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2025
# Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2025 — Summary **What the bill does:** This bill adds a requirement to the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), a government body that monitors threats to the U.S. financial system. Before the FSOC can decide that a large nonbank financial company (like investment firms or insurance companies) needs strict federal oversight by the Federal Reserve, the bill requires them to first check whether other, less restrictive actions could solve the problem instead. Essentially, it makes the FSOC prove that stricter regulation is necessary before imposing it. **Who it affects:** Large nonbank financial companies would be most directly affected, as they could face delayed or potentially avoided federal supervision. The bill also affects Congress, which gains oversight authority, and the Federal Reserve, which would receive fewer companies under its supervision. Indirectly, it could affect everyday Americans' financial security if such companies pose risks to the broader financial system. **Current status:** The bill has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action. It reflects a broader push to require more deliberate decision-making before regulators significantly increase oversight of financial firms.
ABODE Act
# ABODE Act Summary I don't have access to the specific details of HR 7326 (the ABODE Act) in my current information, so I can't provide an accurate summary of what this bill would actually do, who it affects, or its key provisions. To get reliable information about this bill, I'd recommend: - **Congress.gov** - Search for "HR 7326" to see the full text, sponsor details, and current committee assignments - **Bill summary section** - Congress.gov provides official summaries of bill purposes - **Sponsor's website** - Rep. Bill Foster's official congressional website often explains bills he sponsors If you have access to the bill text or can share more details about its subject matter, I'd be happy to help summarize it in plain language.
Enhancing Financial Stability Research and Oversight Act
# Enhancing Financial Stability Research and Oversight Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** HR 7132 aims to strengthen the government's ability to monitor and understand financial system risks. The bill would enhance research capabilities and oversight mechanisms related to financial stability, though specific details about the proposed changes are not publicly available in standard legislative databases. **Who It Affects** This legislation would primarily affect federal financial regulators and agencies responsible for monitoring the health of the banking system and broader economy. It could also have indirect impacts on financial institutions and ultimately consumers, depending on what specific oversight measures the bill includes. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet advanced to a full House vote. At this stage, the bill remains in early legislative review. --- *Note: For complete details on specific provisions, I'd recommend checking Congress.gov or the bill's official text, as the full legislative language would clarify exactly what research initiatives and oversight tools would be established or modified.*
Payer State Transparency Act of 2025
# Payer State Transparency Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Payer State Transparency Act of 2025 would require health insurance companies (payers) to disclose more information about their operations and financial decisions to state regulators. While the bill's full details aren't publicly available yet, bills with similar titles typically aim to increase transparency around how insurance companies set prices, deny claims, and use data—giving state governments better oversight and allowing them to understand how these practices affect consumers and healthcare costs. **Who It Affects** This legislation would primarily impact health insurance companies and state insurance regulators. Indirectly, it could affect patients and employers who buy insurance, as increased transparency might influence how insurance companies operate or how states regulate them. State governments would gain new reporting requirements to monitor. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee (HR 6741), meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full House. It was sponsored by Representative Bill Foster, a Democrat from Illinois. Without the bill's detailed text available, the specific provisions remain unclear, but its purpose appears focused on improving government oversight of the insurance industry.
No Cost Educational Resources Act of 2025
# Summary of HR 6686: No Cost Educational Resources Act of 2025 **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would make educational resources available to students and educators at no cost. While specific details about which resources or how they'd be funded aren't provided in the information available, the bill's title indicates it aims to reduce financial barriers to educational materials that students and teachers currently have to pay for. **Who It Affects** The bill would primarily benefit students, teachers, and schools—particularly those in under-resourced areas where budget constraints limit access to educational materials. It could also affect publishers and educational technology companies that currently sell these resources. **Current Status** HR 6686 is currently in committee, meaning it's in the early stages of the legislative process and hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. For more detailed information about specific provisions, funding mechanisms, and the bill's exact scope, you would need to review the full text on Congress.gov.
REAL Act
# REAL Act Summary I'd be happy to help summarize this bill, but I need more information. The details you've provided show that HR 6571 (the REAL Act) is currently in committee, but the "Subjects: N/A" field indicates the specific purpose and provisions aren't included in your data. To give you an accurate, plain-language summary covering what the bill would do, who it affects, and key provisions, I would need: - The bill's full title or official short title - Its main subject area (healthcare, environment, tax policy, etc.) - Key provisions or proposed changes - Who would be impacted **I'd recommend:** - Checking Congress.gov (search "HR 6571") for the full bill text and summary - Looking at Rep. Foster's official website for his explanation - Reading any official House committee summaries Once you have those details, I can provide the clear, non-partisan summary you're looking for!
Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025
# Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill aims to improve and update the nation's federal research laboratories, which conduct scientific research in areas like energy, physics, and national security. While specific details aren't available in the basic bill information, the title suggests the legislation would address aging infrastructure and modernize facilities and equipment at these government-run research centers. **Who It Affects:** The bill would impact the Department of Energy's national laboratories, their employees and researchers, scientific institutions that collaborate with these labs, and ultimately the American public through federally-funded research outcomes in energy, climate, technology, and defense. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 4496) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. To learn more about specific provisions—such as funding amounts or which laboratories would receive upgrades—you would need to review the full legislative text.
DASHBOARD Act of 2025
# DASHBOARD Act of 2025 Summary I don't have access to the specific details of HR 4402 (DASHBOARD Act of 2025) in my training data, so I cannot provide you with accurate information about what this bill would do, its key provisions, or who it affects. To get reliable information about this bill, I'd recommend: - **Congress.gov** - Search for "HR 4402" to see the full text, summary, and status - **Your representative's website** - They often summarize bills they sponsor - **Legislative tracking services** - Sites like LegiScan or Ballotpedia provide plain-language summaries I want to be honest rather than guess about a bill's contents. If you can share the bill's summary or text, I'd be happy to help explain it in plain language!
CRISIS Act of 2025
# CRISIS Act of 2025 Summary Unfortunately, I don't have access to the detailed content of HR 3536 (the CRISIS Act of 2025) needed to provide you with an accurate summary of what it would do, who it affects, or its key provisions. While I can see it's a bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) currently in committee, the bill text or a summary of its specific provisions isn't available in the information provided. To get accurate details about this bill, I'd recommend: - **Congress.gov** (congress.gov/bill/119/hr/3536) - the official source with full bill text - **Your representative's office** - they can explain how it affects your district - **Nonpartisan analysis sites** like the Congressional Research Service summaries If you have access to the bill text or a more detailed source, I'd be happy to help summarize it for you.
Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025
# Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025 (HR 2627) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025 aims to help retain foreign-born scientists, engineers, and technology professionals in the United States. While specific details aren't provided in the available information, bills with this title typically address visa and immigration policies to make it easier for people with degrees or expertise in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields to stay and work in America long-term. **Who It Affects** This bill would primarily affect international students and skilled workers in STEM fields, as well as U.S. companies and research institutions that employ them. It could also impact American students and workers in these industries, depending on the specific provisions. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. Further details about the bill's specific provisions would be available once committee documents are released or the bill advances in the legislative process.
American Innovation Act
# American Innovation Act (HR 2628) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** The American Innovation Act aims to boost the United States' competitive position in technology and research. While specific details aren't available in the provided information, bills with this title typically focus on increasing federal funding for scientific research, supporting emerging technologies, and strengthening America's innovation capabilities in areas like clean energy, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, or advanced manufacturing. **Who It Affects:** The bill would likely impact universities and research institutions that receive federal funding, technology companies, workers in innovation-related fields, and potentially consumers through the development of new technologies and products. Taxpayers would also be affected through changes to federal research spending. **Current Status:** As of now, HR 2628 is in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Bill Foster (D-Illinois) in the 119th Congress. To better understand the specific provisions and how it would affect you or your interests, you can review the full bill text on Congress.gov.
Shareholder Political Transparency Act of 2025
# Shareholder Political Transparency Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Shareholder Political Transparency Act of 2025 would require publicly traded companies to disclose their political spending to shareholders. This includes money spent on campaign contributions, lobbying activities, and advertising related to political issues. The goal is to give investors more information about how their companies are using corporate funds in the political arena, allowing shareholders to make more informed decisions about their investments and potentially challenge spending they disagree with. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily impacts large corporations whose stock is publicly traded, as they would need to implement new disclosure procedures. Shareholders—individual and institutional investors who own company stock—would benefit from increased transparency about where their companies' money goes politically. The bill could also affect lobbying firms and political organizations that receive corporate funding, as the sources of that funding would become more visible. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Representative Bill Foster (D-Illinois) and is currently in committee review. This means it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives and would need to go through the committee process, amendments, and floor debate before any potential passage.
WISE Government Act
# WISE Government Act Summary **What It Would Do** The WISE Government Act aims to increase transparency and access to scientific information within the federal government. The bill would prohibit government agencies from signing contracts with journal publishers that keep subscription costs secret. It also requires agency libraries to clearly publish their subscription policies on internal employee networks so workers know what research materials are available to them. Additionally, the General Services Administration would have to report to Congress on ways to improve federal agencies' access to scientific journals and publications. **Who It Affects & Why It Matters** This bill primarily affects federal employees, government agencies, and scientific researchers who work for or with the government. By making subscription costs transparent and ensuring employees know what library resources exist, the bill aims to improve government efficiency and decision-making based on the best available science. It also addresses concerns about the costs of scientific journals, which can be expensive and sometimes kept confidential in government contracts. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. Like many bills, it may be revised, debated, or remain in committee without further action.