Rep. Valerie P. Foushee

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage to include home infusion treatment for people with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder, a genetic condition causing lung and liver damage. It specifically covers "augmentation therapy" (a standard treatment using Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor) when administered in a patient's home by qualified providers. Medicare will pay 80% of the cost for intravenous kits and up to 2 hours of nursing care during these home infusions, starting January 1, 2025. The change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with this condition who require home-based treatment and their qualified home infusion providers.

Maddy summaryThe LIFT the BAR Act removes barriers preventing lawfully present noncitizens from accessing federal benefits like food assistance, Medicaid, and school meals. It repeals specific 1996 welfare law provisions that excluded noncitizens and updates terminology to replace "alien" with "noncitizen" throughout federal law. The bill expands eligibility to include noncitizens in categories such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, individuals with special immigrant juvenile status, and those with pending U-visa applications. This change ensures more noncitizens lawfully present in the U.S. can access essential services without being denied based on immigration status.

Maddy summaryHR 4034 would add cranial prostheses (such as medical wigs) to Medicare's list of covered durable medical equipment. It requires a dermatologist, oncologist, or attending physician to certify in writing that the prosthesis is medically necessary as part of rehabilitative treatment. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries experiencing hair loss due to medical conditions like cancer treatment who need these prostheses for health reasons. The bill does not cover cosmetic wigs but specifically targets medically necessary cranial prostheses under existing Medicare coverage rules.

Maddy summaryHR 3851, the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2023, requires most health insurance plans (including group and individual coverage) to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast exams without any out-of-pocket costs like copays or deductibles. This applies to medically necessary exams used to evaluate abnormalities detected during screening (diagnostic) or to screen high-risk individuals without abnormalities (supplemental), following National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Plans may still require prior authorization for these exams, and state laws providing stronger protections remain in effect. The law takes effect for plan years beginning January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill simplifies regulations for rural health clinics (RHCs) by reducing administrative burdens. It allows RHCs to contract with physician assistants and nurse practitioners (instead of requiring direct employment), updates the definition of "rural" to exclude areas with 50,000+ residents, and removes outdated lab service requirements by requiring only "prompt access" to clinical labs. These changes directly affect RHCs, enabling them to more flexibly staff and operate while complying with state practice laws. The amendments take effect January 1, 2024, applying to services provided on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThe FAMILY Act (HR 3481) would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration. Eligible workers would receive wage replacement benefits (up to 85% of average earnings, with a maximum of $4,000 monthly) for up to 60 caregiving days per 12-month benefit period for qualifying reasons like caring for a sick family member, personal serious health conditions, or responding to domestic violence. The program would be funded through 0.2% payroll taxes from employees and employers (with self-employed individuals paying 0.4%), with benefits coordinated with existing state programs. The law includes protections against employer retaliation for taking leave and requires employers to maintain health coverage during leave periods.

Maddy summaryHR 3432, the Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023, expands Medicare coverage for mental and behavioral health services delivered via telehealth. It removes geographic restrictions that previously limited telehealth coverage to rural areas and explicitly adds "behavioral health services" to the list of covered telehealth services under Medicare Part B. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report within one year on utilization of these services, including recommendations on fraud prevention and funding needs for oversight. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking remote mental/behavioral health care and the providers who deliver it.

Maddy summaryThe Medicare for All Act would establish a single-payer national health insurance program providing comprehensive coverage to all U.S. residents without cost-sharing. It would replace current private insurance and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid with a unified system covering all medically necessary services including hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health services, reproductive care, long-term care, and preventive services. The bill prohibits private insurers from offering duplicate coverage and requires providers to participate without charging patients for covered services. Implementation would occur over a two-year transition period, with a "Medicare Transition Buy-In" option allowing people to enroll before full implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for registered nurses in hospital units (such as 1:1 in trauma units, 2:1 in critical care units, and 3:1 in emergency rooms), requiring hospitals to develop and maintain staffing plans that meet these standards. It mandates transparency in documenting staffing levels, ensures hospitals verify nurses' competence for specific units, and enforces compliance through Medicare and Medicaid programs with penalties for violations. The bill protects nurses who refuse unsafe assignments due to staffing concerns and includes initiatives to improve nurse retention and address staffing shortages. It directly affects hospitals, nurses, and patients by aiming to improve patient safety and care quality through standardized staffing requirements. The bill applies to all hospitals, with extended implementation timelines for rural facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 2474, the "Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act," changes how Medicare pays physicians for services. It replaces the previous two-part payment system (used through 2025) with a single annual payment rate update starting in 2024. This update will be based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI), which tracks costs for medical providers. The change directly affects Medicare-certified doctors and clinics who receive payments under the physician fee schedule.