Rep. Donald G. Davis

Maddy summaryThe Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2024 would expand access to mental health care in rural and underserved areas by providing a 10% financial incentive to clinical psychologists who serve Medicare patients in designated health professional shortage areas starting in 2025. It also removes requirements for clinical psychologists to have physician supervision in specific Medicare-covered settings - such as outpatient rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, and home health services - when state law permits. These changes aim to encourage more clinical psychologists to work in areas with mental health provider shortages. The bill directly affects clinical psychologists and Medicare beneficiaries in underserved communities by streamlining access to mental health services.

Maddy summaryThe ROCR Value Based Program Act establishes a new Medicare payment system for radiation oncology services, replacing the current fee-for-service model with a per-episode payment structure. This program affects radiation therapy providers (hospital outpatient departments) and suppliers (physician practices or freestanding centers) treating Medicare beneficiaries with specific cancer types (including breast, prostate, lung, and brain metastases). Key provisions include 80% of the payment being paid upfront within 30 days of treatment start, with the remaining 20% paid later; a health equity add-on payment of $500 per patient for transportation services to patients reporting transportation insecurity (using ICD-10 code Z59.82); and quality incentives for accredited providers through a 0.5% payment increase for meeting accreditation requirements. The program aims to stabilize payments, improve access to radiation therapy, enhance quality, leverage technology, and contain costs while maintaining Medicare savings.

Maddy summaryThe Essential Caregivers Act of 2024 requires nursing homes and similar facilities to allow residents to designate essential caregivers who provide emotional support or assistance with daily activities. During emergencies when regular visitation is restricted, facilities must permit at least one essential caregiver access to residents daily and cannot deny access without following specific procedures. Facilities may deny access for a maximum of 7 days during emergencies (or 14 days with state approval), and must provide a written explanation and appeal process if access is denied. The bill establishes a 48-hour appeal process for residents and caregivers to challenge denials, with facilities required to prove violations during appeals. This law applies to Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and certain inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 8267, the "Old Drugs, New Cures Act," creates a process for drug manufacturers to request "priority research drug" status for existing medications (approved over 10 years ago) being studied for new medical uses that address significant unmet needs. To qualify, the new use must target diseases affecting at least 33% of Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries, as defined by claims data. If designated, these drugs are excluded from specific Medicaid and Medicare pricing rules that typically apply to "line extensions" or "best price" calculations. This change directly affects drug manufacturers seeking to study older drugs for new indications and impacts how Medicare/Medicaid programs calculate drug pricing for these medications.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special enrollment period for people with COBRA health coverage who become eligible for Medicare Part B. It allows them to enroll in Medicare during the time they're on COBRA plus a 3-month grace period afterward, but only once in their lifetime. The bill also prevents COBRA coverage from reducing or ending benefits just because someone is eligible for Medicare but hasn't enrolled yet. It affects individuals transitioning from employer-sponsored COBRA plans to Medicare, particularly those turning 65 or becoming Medicare-eligible. The changes take effect for COBRA coverage beginning January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 8075, the Improving Access to Home Dialysis Act of 2024, creates a new "staff-assisted home dialysis" program to help patients who need in-person support at home for kidney dialysis treatments. It requires Medicare to add a payment increase for providers who offer this service, where trained staff (like nurses or technicians) assist patients during their initial home dialysis setup, recovery from hospitalization, or temporary needs due to illness or caregiver unavailability. The bill also mandates patient education on this option and establishes training methods, including telehealth and group sessions, to help patients and caregivers learn home dialysis skills. It further requires studies on racial disparities in home dialysis access and the development of a patient decision tool to help choose dialysis settings. The law directly affects Medicare dialysis patients needing assistance, their care providers, and Medicare's payment structure for home dialysis services.

Maddy summaryHR 7962 establishes the Indo-Pacific Trade Strategy Commission to develop a comprehensive U.S. trade strategy for the Indo-Pacific region. The bill requires the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate how existing trade agreements (like RCEP) affect American exports, supply chains, and competitiveness, and mandates the Commission to hold public hearings and submit a report to Congress within 18 months. The Commission, composed of 12 experts in trade, supply chains, labor, or environmental policy, will focus on countering China's economic influence, promoting U.S. values, and strengthening supply chain resilience. This legislation directly affects U.S. businesses, workers, and economic strategy in the Indo-Pacific by creating a formal process to address gaps in current trade engagement.

Maddy summaryThe SOAR Act of 2024 removes supplemental oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services from Medicare's competitive bidding program, ensuring direct Medicare payment for these items starting in 2025. It establishes new payment rates for oxygen services, including specific rates for rural areas and liquid oxygen with annual inflation adjustments, and requires oxygen suppliers to provide specific services like initial evaluations, safety education, and 24-hour coverage. The bill also adds respiratory therapist services to Medicare coverage with a new payment add-on, requires electronic templates for documenting medical necessity for oxygen services, and establishes new beneficiary rights including the right to choose suppliers and receive timely equipment repairs. This legislation directly affects Medicare beneficiaries requiring oxygen therapy, oxygen suppliers, and respiratory therapists by changing how these services are paid for and delivered.

Maddy summaryHR 7652, the Oversight of Medicare Billing Code Cost Act, requires the HHS Inspector General to study how Medicare adds, modifies, and removes billing codes used by healthcare providers to bill for services. The study will analyze data sources, trends in code changes, high-growth specialties, and CMS's monitoring of cost and outcome impacts. Within one year of enactment, the Inspector General must report findings and recommendations to Congress. Additionally, starting in 2024, HHS must annually publish reports listing new Medicare billing codes and their associated costs and usage volumes on its public website.

Maddy summaryHR 7681, the Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act, extends the telehealth services exemption in tax law until January 2027 (previously expiring in 2025) and creates a new rule allowing high deductible health plans (HDHPs) to not charge deductibles for certain primary care services. The bill specifically exempts primary care visits from general practitioners, pediatricians, nurses, and physician assistants (as defined by law) from triggering HDHP deductible requirements through 2023. This directly affects HDHPs, primary care providers, and patients using these services by potentially lowering out-of-pocket costs for routine care. The bill also requires a study tracking how the policy impacts plan design, premiums, and healthcare utilization, with reports due to Congress within a year of enactment.