Rep. Lois Frankel

Maddy summaryHRES 684 is a non-binding House resolution designating September 9, 2025, as "National Firearm Suicide Prevention Day." It aims to raise public awareness about firearm suicide statistics (including that firearms were used in 55% of U.S. suicides in 2023) and promote safe firearm storage as a key suicide prevention strategy. The resolution encourages health professionals to discuss safe storage with patients and supports existing awareness efforts led by organizations like Brady and End Family Fire. It directly affects the public and healthcare providers by emphasizing evidence-based prevention practices, not by creating new laws.

Maddy summary# Summary of Proposed FEMA Reform Legislation (FEMA Act of 2025) This comprehensive legislative document proposes significant reforms to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, with four main sections addressing: ## 1. Disaster Assistance Reforms - **Expanded eligibility** for assistance, including clarifying that absence of a fixed address doesn't disqualify individuals from sheltering assistance - **Improved rental assistance** with consideration of local post-disaster rent increases - **Direct assistance** for those unable to use financial assistance, with no requirement to show other assistance can cover costs (except insurance) - **Enhanced notices** for applicants, including documentation of denial decisions - **Clarification of displacement assistance** eligibility, stating insurance shouldn't be considered a duplication of benefits ## 2. Mitigation Program Enhancements - **Preapproved project mitigation plans** requiring states to develop plans with peer review processes - **Improved allocation of funds** with formulas prioritizing vulnerable communities, high-risk areas, and rural/economically distressed communities - **Resilient buildings** requirements for housing retrofits using the latest building codes - **Streamlined application processes** for hazard mitigation funds across multiple programs - **Study on mitigation benefits** to evaluate cost savings and effectiveness ## 3. Transparency and Accountability Measures - **Public dashboards** for both individual assistance (431) and public assistance (432) showing application status, approvals, denials, and funding - **Transparency requirements** for disaster declarations with detailed justifications for approvals/denials - **GAO studies** on numerous topics including: - Identity theft in disaster assistance (409) - Insurance utilization for public assistance facilities (410) - Wildfire management plans (411) - Effectiveness of alerting systems (412) - Cost savings of repair/rebuilding reforms (415) - **Prohibition on political discrimination** in assistance distribution ## 4. Workforce and Operational Improvements - **Study on workforce retention** in noncontiguous communities - **Pilot program** for preliminary damage assessments in remote communities - **Fast-moving disasters working group** to develop best practices for rapid response The legislation focuses on improving efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of disaster relief programs while prioritizing vulnerable populations and communities with higher risk of disasters. It also emphasizes data-driven decision making through required studies and reports to continuously improve disaster management policies.

Maddy summaryHR 4977, the Connected MOM Act, requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study Medicaid coverage of remote health monitoring devices (like blood pressure cuffs and pulse oximeters) for pregnant and postpartum women. Within 18 months of enactment, HHS must report to Congress on current state practices, barriers to coverage, and how these affect maternal and child health outcomes. Six months after the report, HHS must update state Medicaid resources, such as telehealth toolkits, to align with the report's recommendations. The bill directly affects pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in state Medicaid programs by aiming to improve access to these monitoring tools. It does not change Medicaid rules immediately but sets a process for future policy adjustments based on the findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act to clarify that Social Security benefits (income under Title II of the Social Security Act) are not counted when determining eligibility for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. It directly affects seniors receiving Social Security who rely on SNAP for food assistance, ensuring their Social Security payments do not reduce their SNAP benefits. The key change adds Social Security income to the list of non-countable resources under SNAP rules. The amendment takes effect 90 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHR 4966 prohibits grocery stores from selling items at "grossly excessive prices," defined as 120% or more above the average market price over the previous six months (with exceptions for unavoidable cost increases like supply chain issues). It bans using facial recognition or personal data to set different prices for individual customers (e.g., adjusting prices based on shopping history) and requires clear signage if facial recognition is used. Stores over 10,000 square feet must replace electronic shelf labels with physical price tags. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these rules, allowing consumers to seek $3,000 per violation or actual damages, with penalties for willful violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change how Social Security cost-of-living adjustments are calculated by creating a new Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) that tracks spending patterns specific to seniors aged 62 and older. It would also modify tax calculations for high earners by applying declining percentages of income above the Social Security tax cap (from 86% in 2026 down to 0% after 2031) for both wages and self-employment income. Additionally, the bill would adjust benefit calculations to include "surplus earnings" above the tax cap for individuals with high lifetime earnings. These changes would primarily affect Social Security beneficiaries and high-earning workers, particularly those becoming eligible for benefits after 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts health insurance subsidies by modifying the premium tax credit structure under the Internal Revenue Code. It replaces previous income thresholds with a sliding-scale formula, increasing subsidies for households earning between 150% and 400% of the federal poverty level - reducing their required premium payments as income rises within these tiers. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly affecting middle-income individuals and families purchasing coverage through health insurance marketplaces. It also repeals specific provisions from a prior reconciliation law related to health care.

Maddy summaryHR 4863, the Fairness for Khobar Act of 2025, provides lump sum catch-up payments to victims of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing who were previously denied compensation due to confusing Department of Justice guidance. The bill requires the Special Master to authorize these payments to individuals who relied on outdated guidance stating they could not apply for lump sum payments if already eligible for regular distributions. Victims can prove their reliance through documentation, sworn statements, or other methods approved by the Special Master. Payments will be made from a reserve fund or the main compensation fund, ensuring those who were wrongly excluded can now receive full compensation they were entitled to under the law.

Maddy summaryThe Protect Our Hospitals Act (HR 4807) repeals a specific provision (Section 71115 of Public Law 119-21) that altered Medicaid provider tax rules. This bill restores the prior tax structure for Medicaid providers, including hospitals and clinics that accept Medicaid, returning them to the tax treatment that existed before the change. As a result, these providers will no longer be subject to the modified tax rules enacted by the repealed provision. The bill does not affect Medicaid eligibility, benefits, or coverage - it solely reverts a tax policy change without introducing new requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 4796, the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, repeals a provision that blocked Medicaid payments to certain healthcare providers during a specific period. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who received care from these providers between the enactment of the prior law (Public Law 119-21) and this bill's enactment. The key provision retroactively restores Medicaid payments for services already provided during that blocked period, treating the payment restriction as if it never existed. This change ensures eligible individuals and providers receive reimbursement for covered care delivered during the prohibited timeframe.