Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

Maddy summaryHR 902, "Ellie’s Law," authorizes $10 million annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to conduct broader research on unruptured brain aneurysms. The funding aims to study diverse patient populations by age, sex, and race, supplementing existing research budgets without replacing them. This bill directly affects researchers and future patients by increasing federal investment in a condition impacting 6.6 million Americans, with current federal spending at only $2.08 per affected person yearly. The legislation focuses on advancing scientific understanding to improve prevention and treatment, citing the high mortality rate (50% fatal) and significant healthcare costs ($4.1 billion annually in direct costs) associated with brain aneurysm ruptures.

Maddy summaryHR 949, the Insular Area Medicaid Parity Act, removes federal funding caps on Medicaid for U.S. territories, directly affecting Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. The bill amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the existing limit on federal Medicaid funding for these territories, allowing them to receive full federal matching funds like states. This change takes effect for fiscal year 2023, ending the previous restriction that required territories to fund a portion of their Medicaid costs themselves. The policy change ensures these territories can access the same level of federal Medicaid support as states.

Kids' Access to Primary Care Act of 2023 This bill modifies payments for Medicaid primary care services. Specifically, the bill applies a Medicare payment rate floor to Medicaid primary care services that are provided after the date of enactment of the bill and extends the payment rate to additional types of practitioners (e.g., obstetricians). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must conduct a study on the number of children enrolled in Medicaid, the number of providers receiving payment for primary care services, and associated payment rates before and after the bill's implementation.

Maddy summaryThe HELP Copays Act (HR 830) changes how health insurance plans calculate patient cost-sharing. It requires that payments made by third parties (like pharmacies, charities, or discount programs) toward medical costs count toward a patient's deductible, copay, or out-of-pocket limit. This directly affects insured individuals who receive financial assistance, discounts, or product vouchers for healthcare expenses. The law ensures these external payments reduce the patient's actual out-of-pocket costs more quickly, aligning with existing Affordable Care Act and Public Health Service Act requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor all U.S. Army Dustoff crews who served during the Vietnam War (1962-1973). It recognizes their critical role in evacuating nearly 900,000 wounded personnel, including U.S., South Vietnamese, and allied forces, under extreme combat conditions. The medal, designed with input from the Secretary of Defense, will be presented to the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum for permanent display. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover costs, but the primary action is the commemorative recognition of these crews' service.

One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2023 This bill authorizes grants to support community-based reentry resources for previously incarcerated individuals who return to their communities. First, the bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants for community-based nonprofit organizations to create community reentry centers. Second, the bill authorizes DOJ to make grants for states, Indian tribes, and local governments to operate reentry services assistance hotlines.

Stop the Delta Tunnel Act This bill prohibits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) from issuing a federal permit that would be necessary to build the proposed Delta Conveyance Project in California. Specifically, the USACE may not issue a Section 404 permit (i.e., a permit that allows for the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters) for the project. The USACE published a draft environmental impact statement in December 2022 about the project, which involves constructing new California State Water Project diversion and conveyance facilities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The Delta Conveyance Project includes an underground tunnel to deliver water south of the delta.

Maddy summaryThe Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act of 2023 requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate secondary cockpit barriers on all commercial passenger aircraft operating under standard airline regulations. Specifically, it directs the FAA to issue an order requiring installation of these barriers within 18 months of the law's enactment. This applies to most major airlines operating scheduled passenger flights in the U.S. The key provision is the new safety requirement for barriers to prevent unauthorized cockpit access during flights. The law directly affects commercial airlines and their aircraft, focusing on a concrete operational safety change without specifying cost or implementation details.

Maddy summaryHR 782 prohibits state officials from interfering with abortion services provided across state lines. It specifically blocks states from restricting: (1) out-of-state patients traveling for legal abortions, (2) providers offering such services, (3) assistance for travel or care, or (4) the interstate shipment of FDA-approved abortion drugs. The bill allows the federal Attorney General or affected individuals to sue violators for injunctions, damages, and attorney fees. It directly affects patients seeking care in other states, healthcare providers, transportation services, and pharmacies handling FDA-approved abortion medications. The law focuses on preventing state laws from blocking access to legally permitted abortion services.

Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring payment from a veteran for any contraceptive item that is required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement.