Rep. Terri A. Sewell

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Medicare rules to improve access to home infusion therapy, which delivers IV medications at home for conditions like chronic diseases. It adds pharmacy services (including drug preparation and compounding) to covered Medicare benefits and creates a payment rule: if a supplier isn't physically present during therapy, Medicare pays 50% of the full rate instead of denying payment. It also allows nurse practitioners and physician assistants to establish and review home infusion care plans, previously limited to physicians. These changes, effective January 2024, directly affect Medicare beneficiaries requiring home infusion therapy and providers delivering these services.

Maddy summaryThe Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (HR 3882) updates U.S. trade law to better address international trade practices that disadvantage American businesses. It establishes special rules for handling multiple investigations of the same merchandise (called "successive investigations"), requiring the Commerce Department to consider previous injury determinations when making new findings. The bill also creates mechanisms to address market distortions from foreign government subsidies, including currency undervaluation, and strengthens procedures to prevent duty evasion through certification requirements for importers. These changes primarily affect foreign exporters of goods subject to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, as well as U.S. importers of those goods.

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 requires Medicare to cover genetic counseling services provided by licensed genetic counselors at 85% of the physician payment rate. It defines "genetic counselor" as a state-licensed professional (or meeting federal criteria in non-licensing states) and mandates a new billing modifier for these services starting January 1, 2024. Medicare beneficiaries seeking genetic counseling would gain expanded access to these services under this coverage. The policy change applies to services furnished on or after the effective date, with implementation via interim rule.

Maddy summaryHR 3739, the FAIR TARIFF Act of 2023, requires U.S. Customs to refund overpaid duties for specific imports from European Union countries during two defined periods: October 18-December 17, 2019, and January 12-February 10, 2022. It targets products classified under certain Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes (e.g., 9903.89.10-9903.89.49 for 2019, 9903.89.57-9903.89.59 for 2022) that were incorrectly taxed due to tariff misclassification. Importers must apply for refunds within one year of the law’s enactment, with refunds processed within 180 days of application. The bill also mandates a 60-day advance notice in the Federal Register before implementing new tariff increases under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare to collect detailed cost data from air ambulance providers every three years, including operating costs per base, revenue, and service utilization. It also directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study air ambulance costs, Medicare payment adequacy, geographic variations, and payor mix. The goal is to inform future adjustments to Medicare's payment rates for these services. This directly affects Medicare beneficiaries using air ambulance services and the providers operating them.

Maddy summaryThe Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2023 requires free menstrual products to be available at no cost in public schools, colleges, correctional facilities, and federal buildings. It makes menstrual products covered by Medicaid, prohibits taxes on these products, and provides funding through social services programs to help low-income individuals access menstrual products. The bill directly affects students (K-12 and college), incarcerated people, homeless individuals, employees (in businesses with 100+ workers), Medicaid beneficiaries, and people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Key provisions include amending school funding to require free products, creating college grant programs for menstrual product distribution, and adding menstrual products to Medicaid coverage and social services programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum payment floor for Medicare reimbursements to rural hospitals not located in frontier states. It sets a 0.85 minimum for the area wage index used in hospital inpatient payments (starting October 2023) and a similar floor for outpatient department payments (starting January 2024). This prevents Medicare payments from dropping below 85% of the standard wage index for eligible rural hospitals. The bill includes budget neutrality requirements to ensure overall Medicare payments don't increase, while exempting hospitals already receiving payments above the floor.

Maddy summaryHR 3443, the Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2023, creates a federal grant program to fund structured mentoring programs for youth in foster care and those who have aged out of foster care (under age 26). The bill authorizes $50 million annually for grants to eligible organizations (like nonprofits, state agencies, or tribes) to establish or expand mentoring that provides consistent, year-long relationships focused on academic support, emotional development, and transition to adulthood. Key requirements include mandatory mentor training on trauma, cultural competence, and child welfare coordination, along with strict background checks and recruitment strategies to reflect the diversity of youth served. The program directly affects approximately 443,000 youth in foster care (per 2017 data) and aims to improve their educational outcomes, reduce school absences, and build supportive connections through evidence-based mentoring.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Medicare coverage for colorectal cancer screenings. It eliminates out-of-pocket coinsurance costs for these screenings starting in 2026, requiring Medicare to cover 100% of the cost instead of the previous 85% for that year. The change applies to all subsequent years and directly affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking routine colorectal cancer screenings. The key provision amends Medicare Part B to remove the coinsurance requirement for these specific preventive services.