Rep. Brad Sherman

Maddy summaryHR 2630, the Safe Step Act, requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to establish a clear, transparent process for patients or their doctors to request exceptions to medication step therapy protocols. These protocols typically force patients to try cheaper drugs first before covering more expensive alternatives. The bill mandates that plans must approve exceptions when prior treatments failed, delay would cause serious harm, a treatment is unsafe, or a patient is stable on a previously approved drug, with strict 72-hour (or 24-hour in emergencies) decision timelines. It also requires plans to publish the exception process online and limit documentation requests to only necessary medical information. This law directly affects health insurers, employers offering health plans, and patients using step therapy for prescription drugs.

Air Traffic Noise and Pollution Expert Consensus Act of 2023 This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to enter into an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to examine and report on the various health impacts of air traffic noise and pollution.

Maddy summaryHRES 275 is a non-binding House resolution supporting the designation of Vaisakhi (April 14 each year) as "National Sikh Day" to honor the Sikh community's contributions to U.S. diversity and history. It recognizes the Sikh community's role in fostering social justice, charitable work, and inclusive values since their immigration over 100 years ago. The resolution does not create a legal holiday but formally acknowledges Vaisakhi's significance as the founding day of the Khalsa in 1699 and the community's ongoing enrichment of American society. It directly affects the Sikh community by providing symbolic national recognition of their cultural and religious heritage.

Securing Access to Lower Taxes by ensuring Deductibility Act or the SALT Deductibility Act This bill repeals the temporary restrictions in taxable years 2018 through 2025 on the deductibility of state and local taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Medicaid coverage for incarcerated individuals during the 30 days preceding their release from public institutions. It directly affects people transitioning from prisons or jails back into communities by extending health coverage during this critical period. The key mechanism amends the Social Security Act to remove a Medicaid exclusion for this 30-day window. Additionally, it requires an 18-month report analyzing correctional healthcare standards, current discharge practices, and the potential impact of this coverage extension on post-release health access.

Maddy summaryThe Women's Health Protection Act of 2023 would protect access to abortion services by prohibiting states from imposing restrictions that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures. The bill would ensure people can obtain abortion services before fetal viability without unnecessary limitations like mandatory waiting periods or biased counseling, and after viability when necessary to protect the patient's life or health. It would preempt state laws that conflict with these protections and allow for civil enforcement actions to challenge restrictive state laws. This bill directly affects people seeking abortion services (including transgender and nonbinary individuals who can become pregnant), health care providers, and states that have implemented abortion restrictions.

Maddy summaryHRES 277 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in April 2023 that urges the United States Postal Service (USPS) to restore mail delivery standards in effect as of July 1, 2012. It specifically calls for ending the 2015 service cuts that eliminated overnight first-class mail delivery and delayed other mail types, which the resolution states harmed businesses, rural communities, and the economy. The resolution cites the Postal Regulatory Commission’s finding that USPS could achieve cost savings without degrading service, emphasizing that returning to 2012 standards would improve delivery reliability without worsening USPS finances. As a resolution, it does not mandate action but expresses the House’s policy preference.

Maddy summaryHR 2501, titled "Sunset for the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force Act," would end the 2001 law (Public Law 107-40) that authorized military force following the September 11 attacks. The bill directly affects military operations currently justified under that 2001 authorization, requiring future actions to seek new congressional approval. It mandates the repeal of the 2001 AUMF 240 days after the bill becomes law, ending its legal authority. The bill states Congress finds the 2001 authorization has been used too broadly, conflicting with constitutional war powers.

Maddy summaryHR 1465, "Violet’s Law," requires federal research facilities to establish standards for placing eligible animals (dogs, cats, primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits) no longer needed for research with animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or individuals. Federal departments and agencies operating such facilities must create these placement standards within one year of the law's enactment. The law mandates that animals must be vet-certified as healthy (free of infectious disease or physical issues) before placement and prohibits facilities from using animals for commercial trade, breeding, or public exhibitions. This policy directly affects federal research facilities and aims to provide permanent homes for research animals through defined, safe pathways.

Maddy summaryHR 2403, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2023, modifies federal firearm background check procedures to address delays. It requires firearm licensees to wait at least 10 business days after a prospective buyer submits a petition verifying they are not prohibited from owning firearms before completing a sale, if the background check system hasn't cleared the transaction. The bill also mandates the Attorney General to create an electronic petition form, provide timely responses to petitions, and track delays. Additionally, it requires multiple reports analyzing implementation, transaction delays, denial reasons by state, and potential impacts on domestic violence victim safety, with the first report due within 150 days of enactment.