Rep. Chellie Pingree

Maddy summaryThe FOREST Act of 2023 prohibits U.S. imports of products made from commodities (palm oil, soybeans, cocoa, cattle, and rubber) produced on land where illegal deforestation occurred after the law's enactment. Importers must file declarations demonstrating they've assessed supply chain risks of illegal deforestation, with stricter requirements for products from countries identified in action plans. The law establishes a process to identify countries without adequate deforestation protections and requires them to develop action plans with specific benchmarks for compliance. It creates a fund using import penalty revenue to provide foreign assistance to help countries eliminate illegal deforestation and includes procurement preferences for federal contracts with suppliers demonstrating deforestation-free supply chains.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Medicare Part B late enrollment penalties to better accommodate people with temporary coverage gaps. It increases the penalty rate from 10% to 15% of the monthly premium but limits the penalty period to twice the months without coverage (instead of 12-month increments). It also excludes months with COBRA, retiree, or VA health coverage from penalty calculations and creates a special enrollment period when such coverage ends. These changes directly affect Medicare Part B enrollees who lost employer or retiree coverage, reducing their potential extra fees for late enrollment.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds audiology services to Medicare's covered benefits under Section 1861(s)(2)(KK), effective January 1, 2025. It allows qualified audiologists to provide hearing and balance assessments and diagnostic/treatment services without requiring a physician referral or supervision, directly affecting Medicare beneficiaries seeking these services and audiologists practicing under state law. Payment will be 80% of the lower of actual charge or the Medicare fee schedule. The bill does not expand the types of audiology services covered but changes how they are accessed and paid for under Medicare.

Maddy summaryHR 6407, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023, expands Medicare coverage to include medical nutrition therapy for more chronic conditions beyond current limits. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with conditions like obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, eating disorders, and others not previously covered under Part B. The bill amends Medicare rules to allow coverage for prevention, management, or treatment of these conditions by a wider range of providers, including registered dietitians and clinical psychologists. This change would make medically necessary nutrition services available for conditions listed in the bill, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and HIV, as determined by the Secretary.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a framework for states to develop their own universal health care systems by applying for waivers from certain federal health care requirements. States must demonstrate they can provide comprehensive coverage meeting or exceeding current federal standards (like Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP) for at least 95% of residents within 5 years, with the federal government redirecting funds that would have gone to federal programs to support state systems. States must include specific protections like reproductive health care coverage and submit regular reports on coverage rates, affordability, and quality. The bill includes special provisions to protect Indian health care services and ensure they remain accessible under state plans. States that fail to meet coverage goals may face consequences, including potential termination of their waiver.

Maddy summaryHR 6063, the Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2023, modifies unemployment insurance rules to provide benefits for workers unable to work due to strikes or lockouts. It directs that unemployment compensation begins 14 days after a strike starts, or earlier if permanent replacements are hired, a lockout begins, or the dispute ends. The bill directly affects workers participating in labor disputes by making them eligible for benefits under these specific conditions, rather than requiring them to meet standard job search requirements. This change is implemented through amendments to the Internal Revenue Code and Social Security Act.

Maddy summaryHR 5744, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2023, would impose a carbon fee on fossil fuels (crude oil, coal, and natural gas) based on their greenhouse gas emissions, starting at $15 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent in 2023 and increasing by $10 annually. The revenue from this fee would be distributed directly to American citizens as monthly "carbon dividends" through a new trust fund, with adults receiving full payments and children under 19 receiving half payments. The bill also establishes a border fee adjustment on imported carbon-intensive products to prevent companies from moving operations to countries with weaker environmental regulations. It sets specific emissions reduction targets: 8% annual reductions from 2025-2030 and 2.5% annual reductions from 2031-2050 relative to 2005 levels. The carbon fee would be phased out once emissions drop to 10% of 2005 levels and monthly dividends fall below $20 for three consecutive years.

Maddy summaryThe MORE Act (HR 5601) would federally decriminalize cannabis by removing it from the Schedule I list of controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act. It requires federal courts to expunge non-violent cannabis convictions and associated arrests, with a focus on addressing racial disparities in cannabis enforcement. The bill creates an Opportunity Trust Fund that would allocate 50% of funds to criminal justice programs, 20% to small business assistance for minority cannabis entrepreneurs, and 20% to community reinvestment grants for individuals impacted by the War on Drugs. It also prohibits federal agencies from denying benefits or security clearances based on cannabis use or past cannabis convictions, and establishes a Cannabis Justice Office to administer these programs.

Maddy summaryHR 5371, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2023, updates Medicare payment rules for manual wheelchairs. It clarifies that Medicare Part B will not cover the extra cost of titanium or carbon fiber materials in a wheelchair's base, effective January 1, 2023. This specifically affects Medicare beneficiaries who use manual wheelchairs with these materials, as payments will now be calculated without including those component costs. The bill directly changes how Medicare reimburses providers for such wheelchairs by excluding these materials from the standard payment amount. This is a technical adjustment to Medicare's fee schedule, not a new benefit or eligibility change.

Maddy summaryHR 5183, the Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act, requires Medicare to cover "cancer care planning and coordination services" for beneficiaries diagnosed with cancer. This policy directly affects Medicare patients with cancer, particularly older adults (over half of cancer diagnoses occur in Medicare beneficiaries), by mandating written care plans developed by physicians or providers. The key mechanism adds specific coverage for these plans under Medicare, requiring them to document treatment options, coordinate care across providers, and address symptoms like pain or fatigue - furnished in culturally appropriate formats. The bill specifies payment rates matching existing transitional care management services, effective for care starting after the law's enactment.