Rep. Judy Chu

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 summaryHR 476, the Helping HANDS for Families Act, amends the Social Security Act to modernize how family support services are delivered. It allows states to use digital portals for families and children to access community-based support services, such as childcare or counseling, through an electronic or digital platform. This change directly affects families receiving these services by providing a new digital access method for existing support programs. The bill does not create new benefits but updates the framework for delivering current services more efficiently. It focuses on improving access to community support through technology, without altering the core services provided.

Maddy summaryHR 420, the Language Access for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2023, requires Medicare to provide annual enrollment notifications in languages beyond English and Spanish. It directs the Medicare program to prioritize translations based on languages already used for Social Security benefit applications, directly affecting non-English and non-Spanish speaking Medicare beneficiaries. The key mechanism mandates translating these specific notices (like enrollment materials) into additional languages, with the requirement applying to notices distributed before the 2024 Medicare open enrollment period. This bill makes concrete policy changes to improve access to critical Medicare information for diverse language groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 35 (Close the Medigap Act of 2023), prohibits Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on health status, pre-existing conditions, genetic information, or age. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (particularly those with pre-existing conditions) and requires insurers to offer guaranteed issue coverage starting January 1, 2024, with full implementation by 2029. Key mechanisms include banning health-based pricing discrimination, requiring insurers to spend at least 65% of individual policy premiums on healthcare (increasing to align with NAIC recommendations), and improving transparency on the Medicare Plan Finder website. The bill does not change Medicare Part A/B benefits but ensures broader access to supplemental coverage without health-related barriers.

Maddy summaryThe Assuring Medicare’s Promise Act of 2023 directs that taxes collected under the net investment income tax (a tax on investment income for high earners) be added to the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, which helps finance Medicare Part A benefits. It modifies the tax code to include certain business income of high-income individuals (with modified adjusted gross income over $400,000 for single filers or $500,000 for joint filers) in the tax base, but includes a phase-in mechanism to limit immediate tax increases. This bill primarily affects high-income taxpayers and aims to strengthen Medicare’s financial stability by increasing trust fund revenue.

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 4338 formally designates the historic Route 66 as a National Historic Trail under the National Trails System Act, covering approximately 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, along its original alignments between 1926 and 1985. The bill specifies that the National Park Service will administer the trail while prohibiting the federal government from acquiring land beyond one-quarter mile on either side of the trail or creating buffer zones, and explicitly states it will not interfere with energy development or use eminent domain. This designation primarily affects the public by recognizing Route 66's historical significance and landowners along the route by limiting federal land acquisition and management restrictions. It is a procedural act focused on formal recognition, not new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a commission to study whether the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia should be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution. The commission, composed of 8 members appointed by congressional leaders with expertise in Jewish American history and museum administration, will examine the museum's collections, financial status, governance, and feasibility of transfer within two years. The commission must submit a report detailing findings, a fundraising plan, and legislative recommendations for any potential transfer. The bill does not transfer the museum but creates a process to evaluate the possibility.

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 summaryHR 6751 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring Roberto Clemente, a Hall of Fame baseball player and humanitarian, including 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins. The coins must feature Clemente's image and inscriptions like "Roberto Clemente" and "2027," with all sales including a surcharge ($5-$35 per coin) paid to the Roberto Clemente Foundation. The foundation, which supports youth sports, education, and disaster relief programs, will use these funds for its mission, while the U.S. Treasury must recover all production costs. The coins will be sold exclusively in 2027, with no net cost to the government.