Rep. Don Bacon

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance rules to improve coverage for drugs treating rare diseases (defined as conditions affecting 200,000 or fewer people in the U.S.). It requires coverage for rare disease drug uses supported by peer-reviewed medical literature and not listed as contraindicated in FDA labeling or medical reference guides. Private insurers must provide expedited review processes for denials of such drugs. The changes apply 30 days after enactment, affecting insurers and patients seeking coverage for rare disease treatments.

Maddy summaryHR 6020, the Honor Our Living Donors Act, amends federal law to ensure living organ donors are fully reimbursed for qualifying expenses without considering the recipient's income. It prohibits organ recipients from having their income factored into reimbursement calculations and requires the Secretary to annually report whether current funding covers all donor expenses, including estimates of unmet needs. This bill directly affects living organ donors and the federal reimbursement program under the Public Health Service Act.

Maddy summaryThe Revoke Iranian Funding Act of 2023 would cancel all existing U.S. licenses and exemptions allowing funds to be released to Iran for humanitarian purposes, including a $6 billion transfer from South Korea. It also rescinds a specific waiver issued in September 2023 that permitted such transfers. The bill requires the Treasury to submit a 30-day report to Congress detailing Iranian assets blocked by the U.S. and current sanctions exemptions related to Iran. This legislation directly restricts U.S. financial access for Iran and its designated entities, aiming to prevent funds from being diverted to support terrorism.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "Freezing HAMAS Act" (though it concerns Iran sanctions, not Hamas), reinstates U.S. sanctions on Iran that were previously waived or suspended under agreements with Iran. It specifically targets sanctions from the 2012 Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act and the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, including a September 2023 waiver related to fund transfers. The bill prohibits the U.S. government from releasing funds or assets to Iran or granting further waivers related to these sanctions. It directly affects U.S. government actions regarding Iran financial transactions and enforcement of existing sanctions.

Maddy summaryHR 5819, the COMPLETE Care Act, incentivizes Medicare primary care providers to integrate behavioral health services by increasing payments for specific services (like mental health and substance use disorder support) during 2025-2027. Providers using designated HCPCS codes for integrated care would receive 125-175% of standard payment rates, with the percentage declining annually. The bill also requires these providers to report on integration quality measures and mandates technical assistance for practices adopting integrated models, funded through new appropriations for 2024-2027. It directly affects Medicare-participating primary care practices serving beneficiaries needing mental health or substance use services.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides continuing appropriations for federal government operations through January 11, 2024, ensuring funding for ongoing programs and activities. It includes $16 billion for disaster relief and over $21 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine assistance, covering military aid, economic support, and humanitarian programs. The bill also extends funding for community health centers, Federal Aviation Administration programs, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program through the same date. These funding measures maintain government operations and support critical domestic and international programs during the fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHR 5663, the ALS Better Care Act, creates a new Medicare payment system to improve reimbursement for specialized care services provided to ALS patients. It establishes a $800 per visit payment rate starting in 2025 for qualified ALS care facilities, with annual increases based on market basket adjustments. The bill requires the Comptroller General to report on appropriate payment amounts and ensures this new payment is in addition to, not replacing, existing Medicare payments for ALS-related services. This aims to reduce wait times, support facilities in rural areas through telehealth access, and address funding challenges for ALS clinical trials.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent Medicare coverage for telehealth services provided by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), including audio-only visits. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries who use these services and the FQHCs/RHCs delivering them by removing location restrictions - allowing telehealth visits to occur regardless of the patient's geographic location. Key provisions include permanently covering audio-only telehealth (previously temporary), treating telehealth visits as equivalent to in-person visits for payment, and ensuring costs for telehealth are included in FQHC/RHC payment calculations. These changes simplify access to telehealth for rural and underserved communities while maintaining consistent Medicare reimbursement for providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Medicare payment rules for anesthesiologist services in specific rural hospitals. It requires Medicare to pay for anesthesiologist services in qualifying rural hospitals using the same "reasonable cost, pass-through" reimbursement method currently used for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), rather than the standard physician payment rate. The bill directly affects rural hospitals and anesthesiologists working in those facilities, ensuring they receive comparable reimbursement to CRNAs under existing rules. The change applies to services provided during cost reporting periods starting after the bill's enactment date. This is a technical adjustment to payment methodology, not a new coverage benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Medicare counts hospital stays for coverage of skilled nursing care. It treats time spent in outpatient observation (not admitted as an inpatient) as part of the required 3-day inpatient hospital stay. This means beneficiaries who received outpatient observation services will have that time counted toward the 3-day requirement, potentially making them eligible for skilled nursing facility coverage they might otherwise have lost. The change applies to services beginning January 1, 2024, with limited retroactive appeal options for services completed before the law's enactment. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries needing skilled nursing care after hospital treatment.