Rep. Debbie Dingell

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to launch a national education campaign about the risks and benefits of human cell and tissue transplants (including infectious disease risks like tuberculosis and sepsis) for both the public and healthcare providers. The campaign must be evidence-based, developed with input from experts like the CDC, and can fund nonprofit organizations to run public awareness activities. It also sets civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation (or per day for ongoing violations) with a $10 million cap for safety rule breaches by transplant product providers. Additionally, the bill mandates a congressional report within two years on improving safety regulations and a review of donor eligibility guidance within three years.

Maddy summaryThe Nutrition CARE Act of 2024 expands Medicare Part B coverage to include medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries diagnosed with eating disorders. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with eating disorders - particularly an estimated 420,500-560,700 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color seniors - by requiring coverage for 13 hours of initial care (including assessment) and 4 hours annually for ongoing management. The bill amends Medicare law to specify that these services must be provided by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals following referrals from physicians or psychologists. Coverage applies to all eating disorders as defined by the DSM-5, addressing a gap where Medicare previously excluded this critical treatment component. This policy change aims to improve access to evidence-based care for a condition linked to high mortality and significant healthcare costs.

Maddy summaryThe Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2023 requires Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, FEHBP, and private health insurance plans to cover medically necessary food for patients with specific digestive and inherited metabolic disorders. The bill defines "medically necessary food" as specialized formulas, vitamins, or amino acids prescribed by a physician for conditions including inherited metabolic disorders, malabsorption syndromes, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel diseases. It mandates coverage for both the food and necessary equipment/supplies to administer it, specifically prohibiting insurers from requiring feeding tubes when oral administration is possible. The bill also establishes that Medicare coverage will be 80% of the cost for these items. This legislation aims to ensure patients with these conditions can access the specialized nutrition therapies they need to prevent serious health complications like malnutrition, hospitalization, or developmental issues.

Maddy summaryHR 6794 extends the Medicare Independence at Home Medical Practice Demonstration Program from a 10-year to a 12-year duration. The program provides home-based medical care for Medicare beneficiaries, primarily elderly or disabled patients who prefer receiving care at home rather than in facilities. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment, evaluating the program's effectiveness in improving health outcomes and identifying barriers to participation. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries eligible for home-based care and the healthcare providers participating in the demonstration program.

Maddy summaryThe PACE Expanded Act (HR 6590) expands access to the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) by allowing seniors to enroll at any time during the month - rather than only at month-start - while requiring prorated payments for mid-month enrollments. It also permits PACE providers to submit applications for new service areas or centers anytime, with applications deemed approved after 45 days unless denied. The bill establishes a pilot program to test expanded eligibility for high-need populations not currently covered by PACE, requiring providers to partner with community organizations and adapt care models. It mandates an evaluation of PACE’s effectiveness in rural areas, focusing on reduced hospitalizations, costs, and improved health outcomes for beneficiaries. These changes aim to make PACE more flexible for seniors, providers, and states, with key provisions effective January 2025.

Maddy summaryThe ARCC Act provides $100 million in federal funding to help apprentices and pre-apprentices in job training programs cover childcare costs. It authorizes competitive grants to 10 states, which must distribute monthly stipends of at least $500 per dependent child directly to eligible childcare providers on behalf of participants in these programs. The bill prioritizes individuals from historically underrepresented groups (based on race, ethnicity, or gender) and ensures stipends are tax-free while not affecting eligibility for other federal benefits. States must report on participation, program completion rates, and demographic data, with the Secretary later summarizing program impacts for Congress.

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 modifies tax rules for vaccines by adding new vaccines to the list of taxable vaccines under federal law. Specifically, it includes any vaccine placed on the Vaccine Injury Table under the Public Health Service Act, which determines eligibility for compensation for vaccine-related injuries. Manufacturers and distributors will need to account for these vaccines under the tax code once HHS adds them to the injury compensation list. The change affects tax reporting for these specific vaccines but does not alter vaccine access, costs, or the injury compensation program itself.

Maddy summaryThe Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act expands Medicare's drug price negotiation program from 20 to 50 drugs, allowing the government to negotiate lower prices for these medications. It requires private health insurance plans and group health coverage to apply these negotiated prices to their members' cost-sharing for covered drugs, with plans able to opt out while publicly disclosing their decision. The bill also extends these negotiated prices to drugs covered by commercial insurance markets, not just Medicare. This would directly affect Medicare beneficiaries and people with private health insurance who take the negotiated drugs.

Maddy summaryThe 9-8-8 Implementation Act of 2023 establishes a national mental health crisis response system centered around the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline. It provides $441 million for call center technology, staffing, and operations, and requires Medicare, Medicaid, and private health plans to cover crisis response services including mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization facilities. The bill also mandates a national suicide prevention media campaign and creates protocols for 9-1-1 dispatchers to better respond to mental health crises. These provisions aim to improve access to mental health crisis care across the United States.