Rep. Chris Pappas

Maddy summaryThis bill increases healthcare affordability for low- and middle-income people by expanding eligibility for premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. It removes the previous 400% of poverty level cap for subsidy eligibility and replaces it with a new sliding scale based on income tiers, ranging from 0% to 8.5% of household income for coverage costs. The scale adjusts linearly across income levels, with households earning 300-400% of poverty paying 6.0%-8.5% of income (up from the prior fixed 400% cap), while lower-income households pay progressively less. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly affecting individuals purchasing health insurance through marketplace plans.

Maddy summaryHR 285, the Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025, requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish at least two Joint Operations Centers along the southern border within six months of enactment. These centers will enable coordinated operations between federal (including DHS, Defense, and Justice), state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to address threats like drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal border crossings, and weapons seizures. Key mechanisms include centralized communication for field operations, shared information protocols, personnel deployment tracking, and annual reporting to Congress on center operations, resource use, and communication gaps. The bill directly affects border agencies and tribes participating in these coordinated efforts, aiming to improve interagency collaboration without specifying new enforcement powers.

Maddy summaryHRES 17 is a symbolic House resolution condemning Turkey’s continued military occupation of northern Cyprus, which began with the 1974 invasion. It specifically demands Turkey withdraw its 35,000 troops, cease illegal settlements of over 200,000 people in occupied areas, and comply with international rulings on property rights for U.S. citizens. The resolution also calls for Turkey to stop violating Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone and assist in locating four missing U.S. citizens from the 1974 invasion. It urges President Trump (as the resolution was introduced in 2025) to prioritize resolving the Cyprus conflict as a top foreign policy goal, emphasizing a bizonal, bicommunal federation solution. As a non-binding resolution, it does not impose legal requirements but expresses congressional stance.

Maddy summaryHRES 18 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' view that the United Kingdom should negotiate the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. It specifically calls for the UK government to enter talks with Greece to facilitate the marbles' return, citing their cultural significance as an integral part of the Parthenon and Greece's 200-year effort to reclaim them. The resolution emphasizes that reunifying the marbles would honor their historical context and Greece's care for them, noting Greece's New Acropolis Museum as a suitable home. As a procedural resolution, it does not impose legal obligations but formally states the House's position on this cultural heritage issue.

Maddy summaryHR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, repeals two provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for certain government workers. It eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which cuts spousal or survivor benefits for people with pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security (like federal or state government roles), and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which lowers retirement benefits for those with similar pensions. The law takes effect for benefits paid after December 2023, requiring the Social Security Administration to adjust benefit calculations to remove these reductions. This change directly affects public-sector employees who previously had their Social Security benefits reduced due to their government pensions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 609 Portsmouth Avenue in Greenland, New Hampshire, as the "Chief Michael Maloney Post Office Building." It changes the official name of the building and updates all federal references (including laws, maps, and documents) to use this new name. The bill has no policy impact beyond renaming the facility and honors Chief Michael Maloney, likely a local postal employee or figure. It was enacted on January 4, 2025, after passing both chambers of Congress in December 2024.

Maddy summaryThe Think Differently Database Act (HR 670) requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create and maintain a public website within three years. The website will provide clear, accessible information about Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities - including specific state requirements, contact details for state Medicaid offices, and wait times for home-based services. It directly affects individuals with disabilities, their caregivers, and families seeking support through Medicaid programs. The site will standardize resource access across states, using existing Medicaid rules and modeling after the thinkdifferently.net website.

Maddy summaryThe Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 expands Medicare coverage for obesity treatment by allowing a wider range of healthcare providers - including nurse practitioners, dietitians, psychologists, and community-based counseling programs - to deliver intensive behavioral therapy for obesity, provided they coordinate with primary care providers. It also adds Medicare Part D coverage for medications used to treat obesity or for weight loss management in overweight individuals with related health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. These changes directly affect Medicare beneficiaries, particularly older adults (65+), who face higher obesity rates and associated costs, including $50 billion annually in Medicare spending for obesity-related care. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on implementation to improve coordination of obesity care across federal health programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 4-year transitional coverage period for Medicare to automatically cover "breakthrough medical devices" - new FDA-prioritized devices approved after March 2021 - as "reasonable and necessary" for treatment. During this period, these devices qualify for additional payments under Medicare's hospital and outpatient payment systems without requiring separate approval. After the 4-year period, Medicare must develop regular coverage based on additional data, with automatic coverage for all approved uses if no action is taken within two years. The bill requires Medicare to assign unique codes for these devices within three months of FDA approval and to update payment systems regularly. It also includes special provisions for "specified breakthrough devices" that lack existing Medicare benefit categories, requiring reports on their impact and cost to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe Autism CARES Act of 2024 reauthorizes and enhances federal programs supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder. It requires the National Institutes of Health to expand research to include more fields like gerontology and psychiatry, and to ensure research reflects the full range of needs of people with autism, including those with co-occurring conditions. The bill mandates regular reports to Congress on progress, mental health needs, and transition services for young adults with autism, while increasing funding for autism-related programs from fiscal year 2025 through 2029. This legislation directly affects individuals with autism, their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers by improving access to evidence-based services and research.