Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary of independence). Congressional leadership will determine its contents, including representative materials about the Semiquincentennial, copies of key legislative milestones, and a message to future Congress. The capsule will be sealed on the Capitol's West Lawn by July 4, 2026, and remain unopened until July 4, 2276, when it will be presented to the 244th Congress for their consideration. The bill is procedural and does not affect citizens or change existing laws.

Maddy summaryThe End Diaper Need Act of 2023 creates a federal program that will provide free diapers and incontinence supplies to low-income families with infants, toddlers, medically complex children (3+ years old with chronic health conditions), and low-income adults with disabilities. It allocates $200 million annually from 2024-2027 to fund this assistance through states and community organizations, making medically necessary diapers eligible for reimbursement through health savings accounts and other health benefit programs. The legislation requires integration with existing services like Medicaid, WIC, and TANF, and includes annual reporting requirements and an evaluation of the program's effectiveness within two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes U.S. sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that facilitate North Korea's transfer of arms or material support to Russia for use in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It targets those responsible for such transfers, including foreign financial institutions enabling significant transactions related to these activities, requiring property blocks and visa restrictions. The bill also amends existing North Korea sanctions to explicitly require halting such material support and mandates the President to submit regular reports to Congress on North Korea's involvement and U.S. strategies to counter it.

Maddy summaryHR 5400, the NO PBMs Act, requires Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDP sponsors) and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to allow any pharmacy meeting basic contract terms to join their networks. This directly affects Medicare beneficiaries by expanding their choice of pharmacies, as current networks often restrict access to specific locations. Key provisions mandate that PDP sponsors and PBMs must accept all eligible pharmacies and establish standardized "reasonable and relevant" contract terms by January 1, 2026. The bill aims to increase pharmacy access without altering drug pricing or plan benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill simplifies participation in Medicare's Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program by removing distinctions between small and large ACOs and eliminating the requirement for new ACOs to assume financial risk for three years before joining shared savings models. It creates a new "100% shared savings" option where ACOs keep all savings from cost reductions but bear full financial responsibility for losses. The bill also mandates clearer, transparent benchmark calculations for ACO performance, establishes appeal processes for disputed benchmarks, and requires technical assistance for rural and underserved providers. These changes directly affect Medicare ACOs, particularly smaller or newer organizations in rural or safety-net settings, aiming to make value-based care participation more accessible.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare benefits for chronic kidney disease patients by adding kidney disease screening to annual wellness visits and broadening education options to include more healthcare professionals like nurse practitioners. It updates payment systems to better cover innovative kidney treatments, including new drugs and devices, and requires a study on increasing kidney transplant rates. The bill also aims to improve the kidney care workforce by expanding training opportunities in underserved areas and ensures Medicare Advantage plans properly cover new kidney therapies. These changes directly affect Medicare beneficiaries with kidney disease, dialysis centers, and nephrology providers, with key provisions taking effect in 2022-2024.

Maddy summaryHR 5008, the HEAL for Immigrant Families Act of 2023, would remove immigration status as a barrier to health insurance coverage for immigrants in the United States. The bill would make all lawfully present immigrants, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, eligible for Medicaid, CHIP, and Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies. It would eliminate state-level restrictions on Medicaid eligibility for immigrants and allow individuals with federally authorized presence to access premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. This legislation aims to address health coverage disparities that disproportionately affect immigrant communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other communities of color.

Maddy summaryThe Social Security 2100 Act would significantly enhance Social Security benefits for millions of Americans by increasing monthly payments for retirees, disabled workers, widows/widowers, and children. Key provisions include raising the minimum benefit for long-term low earners, improving cost-of-living adjustments using a more accurate index, eliminating the 5-month waiting period for disability benefits, and extending child benefits to age 26. The bill also changes how Social Security taxes are calculated by applying them to income above $400,000 and establishes a unified Social Security Trust Fund to manage program finances. Most provisions would apply to benefits payable from 2025 through 2034, affecting all current and future Social Security beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThe BLUE Pacific Act establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to deepen engagement with Pacific Island nations through coordinated assistance across multiple policy areas. It authorizes $250 million annually for fiscal years 2023-2033 to support initiatives in climate resilience, economic development, security capacity building, public health, and democratic governance. The act requires the President to develop a Pacific Islands Partnership Strategy by 2027, with regular congressional reporting, and mandates consultation with Pacific Island nations and regional organizations. This legislation formalizes U.S. efforts to support Pacific Island countries in addressing shared challenges like climate change, economic development, and security while strengthening regional partnerships. The strategy will guide U.S. assistance across multiple agencies to support Pacific Island nations' priorities as outlined in regional frameworks like the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

Maddy summaryThe PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2023 requires private health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health programs to cover pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention without cost-sharing, including the medication, related lab tests, and follow-up care. The bill also prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums to people taking PrEP. It establishes public education campaigns to increase awareness of PrEP and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and creates funding for state and community programs to expand access to HIV prevention services, particularly for populations disproportionately affected by HIV including Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and transgender individuals. The legislation specifically addresses current disparities in PrEP access, as data shows only 11% of Black/African American and 21% of Hispanic/Latinx individuals eligible for PrEP received prescriptions in 2022 compared to 82% of White individuals. Coverage requirements for most plans will take effect on January 1, 2025.