Rep. Madeleine Dean

Maddy summaryHR 549, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, removes waiting periods for disability and Medicare coverage for people diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Specifically, it amends Social Security Act sections to allow immediate eligibility for disability insurance benefits (eliminating the standard waiting period) and immediate Medicare coverage (waiving the 24-month waiting period) for these patients. The bill directly affects individuals with metastatic breast cancer who would otherwise face delays in accessing critical benefits. These changes apply to applications filed or benefits beginning after the bill's enactment date. The law makes no other policy changes beyond these specific eligibility adjustments.

Maddy summaryThe EACH Act of 2023 would require federal health programs - including Medicaid, Medicare, the Indian Health Service, and TRICARE - to cover abortion services without restrictions. It repeals a provision in the Affordable Care Act that allowed states to limit abortion coverage in health insurance plans sold through state marketplaces. The bill also prohibits the federal government from restricting abortion coverage in private health insurance plans. This would directly affect millions of people, particularly low-income individuals and people of color, who are disproportionately enrolled in Medicaid and currently face barriers to abortion care due to coverage restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends a temporary COVID-19 emergency waiver that allows nurse aides in training to count hours worked during the pandemic toward their certification requirements at nursing facilities. It specifically permits these hours to satisfy the 75-hour minimum training requirement and allows facilities to conduct competency evaluations on-site if states don’t offer them weekly. The waiver remains in effect for at least 24 months after enactment, with a requirement for the Secretary to study its continued appropriateness within one year. The policy directly affects nurse aides working in skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities under federal Medicare/Medicaid rules. It does not create new training programs but maintains pandemic-era flexibility for staffing.

Maddy summaryHR 33 would expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing services for beneficiaries, which are currently not covered under Medicare. The bill provides 100% coverage for preventive dental services in 2024, with basic dental services gradually increasing to 80% coverage by 2027. Vision coverage would include routine eye exams and corrective lenses at 80% coverage, while hearing services would cover hearing exams and hearing aids at 80% coverage. The bill includes specific limitations, such as two dental cleanings per year and one pair of glasses every 24 months, with the Secretary of Health and Human Services having authority to apply additional limitations or modify coverage based on medical recommendations. The changes would take effect on January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 8995, the Baby Changing on Board Act, requires Amtrak to install baby changing tables in every accessible restroom on new passenger trains purchased after the law's enactment. The bill defines "baby changing tables" as elevated, freestanding structures supporting children up to 30 pounds and specifies they must be clearly marked with signage. This directly affects parents and caregivers traveling on Amtrak's newly acquired trains, ensuring accessible diaper-changing facilities in designated restrooms. The law applies only to Amtrak-owned trains solicited for purchase after the bill becomes law, not to existing trains.

Maddy summaryHR 7438 directs the U.S. Treasury to mint commemorative coins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins. The coins will be sold to the public at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively), with all surcharge revenue paid to FWC2026 US, Inc. for U.S. soccer programs. These funds must support soccer initiatives, particularly in underserved communities and youth development, as specified in the bill. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued during 2026, with no net cost to the U.S. government.

Maddy summaryThe Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2024 enables victims of human trafficking to seek to vacate certain convictions or expunge arrests related to offenses they committed as a direct result of being trafficked. It establishes a court process where victims can file motions showing their criminal activity was trafficking-related, with courts required to find by preponderance of evidence that the offense was directly tied to trafficking. If granted, the court must expunge all related records, return any fines paid, and treat the individual as if the offense never occurred. The bill also adds a "human trafficking defense" that creates a presumption of duress for trafficking victims in prosecutions. It requires reports on implementation and training for U.S. attorneys on trafficking indicators.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes federal conservation funding for the Delaware River Basin through 2030, extending the program's expiration date from 2023. It adds Maryland as a basin state (making it a 5-State basin) and modifies cost-sharing rules to provide 90% federal funding for projects serving small, rural, or disadvantaged communities, with a possible 100% federal share if financial hardship is proven. The bill directly affects the five basin states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and New York) and communities within them, particularly those facing economic challenges. The key change is ensuring greater federal financial support for conservation projects in underserved areas while maintaining program continuity through 2030.

Maddy summaryThe SHIELD Act of 2024 makes it a federal crime to knowingly distribute non-consensual intimate images of adults (e.g., photos showing genitals, pubic area, or female nipples without privacy expectations) or nude images of minors with intent to harm, abuse, or degrade. It directly affects individuals whose intimate images are shared without consent and those distributing such content, including social media platforms under specific conditions. Key provisions criminalize distribution causing psychological, financial, or reputational harm, with penalties up to 3 years in prison for minor-related cases and 2 years for adult cases, plus asset forfeiture. Exceptions cover law enforcement, legal reporting, medical/educational use, and platforms that don’t actively promote such content.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mortgage lenders to consider consumer-permitted alternative data (like rent or bank transaction history) when evaluating loan applications, specifically for applicants who lack traditional credit history. It directly affects approximately 45 million "credit invisible" consumers - disproportionately low-income, younger, and people of color - who struggle to qualify for mortgages due to thin or nonexistent credit files. Lenders must treat this permissioned data equally with traditional credit reports, provide clear multilingual notices explaining the option, and include it in underwriting decisions. The law mandates these changes within 18 months of enactment, aiming to expand mortgage access through standardized, consumer-controlled data sharing.