Sen. Andy Kim

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates out-of-pocket costs for all FDA-approved contraceptives under TRICARE for military dependents (spouses and children) and extends full coverage to include counseling, insertion, removal, and follow-up care. It requires TRICARE Select, Prime, and pharmacy benefits to cover all contraceptive methods without cost-sharing, addressing current gaps where dependents face copays. The law also mandates family planning education for all service members and ensures sexual assault survivors can access emergency contraception without barriers at military medical facilities. This applies to all individuals with reproductive capacity, including transgender and non-binary dependents.

Maddy summaryHR 1719, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023, establishes a presumption that certain cancers diagnosed in public safety officers (like police and firefighters) are work-related if linked to their duties. It defines 22 specific cancers (including lung, mesothelioma, and WTC-related cancers) as "exposure-related," allowing officers or their families to receive benefits without proving direct work connection, provided they were diagnosed within 15 years of leaving active service. The bill also creates a process for adding new cancers to the list based on scientific evidence, requiring the Bureau to review petitions and make decisions within 180 days. This applies to deaths or disabilities occurring on or after January 1, 2023, directly affecting officers who developed covered cancers during service.

Maddy summaryHR 3433, the "Give Kids a Chance Act of 2024," requires pharmaceutical companies developing certain cancer drugs to conduct pediatric studies if the drugs target molecular pathways relevant to childhood cancers. It directly affects drug manufacturers submitting new applications for cancer treatments, particularly those combining previously approved adult cancer drugs or containing a single new active ingredient. The bill amends FDA regulations to mandate these pediatric investigations only when specific conditions are met, such as when a drug's molecular target is relevant to pediatric cancer growth. The FDA must issue implementing guidance within 12 months, and reports to Congress will track implementation and effectiveness starting 2 years after enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 1487 is a symbolic resolution designating September 23-29, 2024, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes the work of institutions serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students - such as those enrolling 10%+ of these students and awarding over 45% of bachelor’s degrees for these groups - without creating new policies or funding. The resolution encourages higher education institutions to seek funding for culturally relevant programs and asks the public to observe the week through activities supporting these institutions. It has no direct legal effect or impact on beneficiaries beyond raising awareness.

Maddy summaryHRES 1473 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that condemns racism, bigotry, and misinformation targeting Haitian people and their descendants. It celebrates the historical contributions of Haitian Americans to U.S. society, including founding cities (like Chicago via Jean Baptiste Point du Sable), advancing civil rights (W.E.B. Du Bois), and enriching healthcare, education, and culture. The resolution specifically calls on all Americans to reject racist tropes and misinformation, and urges elected officials to promote inclusivity and responsible communication. It was introduced in response to recent false claims that fueled threats against Haitian communities, such as the bomb threats in Springfield, Ohio.

Maddy summaryHR 6319 (the 911 SAVES Act of 2023) requires the Office of Management and Budget to reclassify public safety telecommunicators as "Protective Service Occupations" within 30 days of enactment. This change corrects their current misclassification in the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, which is used for statistical data on jobs. The bill directly affects how these professionals - critical in emergency calls involving missing children, active threats, and officer safety - are officially categorized in government workforce data. It does not create new benefits or funding but aims to better recognize their lifesaving role through accurate federal job classification.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new occupational category (code 31-1123) within the federal Standard Occupational Classification system specifically for direct support professionals (DSPs) who assist people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It directly affects DSPs, state agencies, and federal data collectors by reclassifying their work - currently grouped under home health aides - into a distinct category. The key mechanism is revising the SOC system to better track DSP workforce data, address high turnover rates (43% nationally), and recognize their unique role in promoting clients' independence and community inclusion. This change aims to improve data accuracy for addressing staffing challenges, without altering service delivery or benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin and place it in the U.S. Capitol. The committee must secure the statue within two years of the bill's enactment and install it in a public-accessible location by January 1, 2026, for viewing during Capitol Visitor Center guided tours. It is a procedural measure with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Medicaid and CHIP rules to let eligible out-of-state healthcare providers enroll without extra state screening. It applies to providers already in Medicare or their home state program, with low fraud risk, serving children under 21 with complex medical conditions. Providers would receive 5 years of enrollment under this streamlined process, eliminating state-level barriers. The change directly affects children seeking specialized care across state lines and the providers who serve them.

Maddy summaryThe Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2024 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to review the automatic maximum coverage amount for Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) every three years, starting January 1, 2024. The review compares the current coverage amount to a new inflation-adjusted figure calculated as $400,000 multiplied by the cumulative increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since 2005. The results of each review must be submitted to Congress. This provision directly affects active-duty service members and veterans enrolled in SGLI or VGLI by establishing a process to potentially increase their automatic coverage to keep pace with inflation.