Rep. Mikie Sherrill

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2023, amends Social Security to better protect public servants who work in jobs not covered by Social Security (such as certain government positions). It creates a new formula for calculating retirement benefits that combines both covered and noncovered earnings, ensuring public servants receive the higher of two benefit calculations. The bill also provides an additional $150 monthly payment for certain public servants whose benefits were previously reduced by the windfall elimination provision. It improves Social Security account statements to clearly show noncovered earnings and requires a study of how state retirement plans handle these benefits. These changes will apply to benefits starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryThe Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act (HR 3882) updates U.S. trade law to better address international trade practices that disadvantage American businesses. It establishes special rules for handling multiple investigations of the same merchandise (called "successive investigations"), requiring the Commerce Department to consider previous injury determinations when making new findings. The bill also creates mechanisms to address market distortions from foreign government subsidies, including currency undervaluation, and strengthens procedures to prevent duty evasion through certification requirements for importers. These changes primarily affect foreign exporters of goods subject to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, as well as U.S. importers of those goods.

Maddy summaryHR 3875, the Expanded Telehealth Access Act, expands Medicare coverage for telehealth services by adding new healthcare professionals to the list of providers eligible for payment. It specifically includes licensed audiologists, occupational therapists (and their assistants under supervision), physical therapists (and their assistants under supervision), and speech-language pathologists. The bill ensures these providers are paid the same rate for telehealth services as they would be for in-person care under Medicare. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking remote therapy services and the new provider types who can now offer these services via telehealth.

Maddy summaryHR 3851, the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2023, requires most health insurance plans (including group and individual coverage) to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast exams without any out-of-pocket costs like copays or deductibles. This applies to medically necessary exams used to evaluate abnormalities detected during screening (diagnostic) or to screen high-risk individuals without abnormalities (supplemental), following National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Plans may still require prior authorization for these exams, and state laws providing stronger protections remain in effect. The law takes effect for plan years beginning January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare to cover genetic counseling services provided by licensed genetic counselors at 85% of the physician payment rate. It defines "genetic counselor" as a state-licensed professional (or meeting federal criteria in non-licensing states) and mandates a new billing modifier for these services starting January 1, 2024. Medicare beneficiaries seeking genetic counseling would gain expanded access to these services under this coverage. The policy change applies to services furnished on or after the effective date, with implementation via interim rule.

Maddy summaryThe FAMILY Act (HR 3481) would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration. Eligible workers would receive wage replacement benefits (up to 85% of average earnings, with a maximum of $4,000 monthly) for up to 60 caregiving days per 12-month benefit period for qualifying reasons like caring for a sick family member, personal serious health conditions, or responding to domestic violence. The program would be funded through 0.2% payroll taxes from employees and employers (with self-employed individuals paying 0.4%), with benefits coordinated with existing state programs. The law includes protections against employer retaliation for taking leave and requires employers to maintain health coverage during leave periods.

Maddy summaryThis bill would add acupuncture services to Medicare coverage for beneficiaries, specifically defining "qualified acupuncturist services" as those provided by state-licensed acupuncturists or physicians trained in acupuncture. It establishes payment rules allowing these services to be billed under the physician fee schedule, included in hospital inpatient billing, and provided under a doctor's supervision. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to set standards for non-licensed practitioners, mirroring nationally recognized certification. It would take effect 270 days after enactment, expanding access to acupuncture for Medicare-covered seniors.

Maddy summaryHR 3086, the "Find It Early Act," requires health insurance plans to cover breast cancer screenings with no cost-sharing for certain individuals at higher risk of breast cancer. The bill affects people with increased risk (based on medical criteria or dense breast tissue) or those needing screening due to factors like age, race, ethnicity, or family history. Key provisions mandate coverage for 2D/3D mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI, and other technologies without frequency limits for these groups. This applies to group health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and VA healthcare systems starting January 1, 2024. The law aims to improve early detection by removing financial barriers to necessary screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) working with Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. It prohibits PBMs from earning income based on drug prices or rebates (requiring flat fees instead), mandates equal reimbursement for all network pharmacies, and requires PBMs to report how much of drug rebates they pass through to Medicare plans. The law also mandates annual compliance certifications and requires the government to publish aggregated transparency data (without revealing specific plan details) starting in 2024. These changes directly affect Medicare Part D plans and the seniors who rely on them for prescription drug coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new workplace violence prevention standard for healthcare and social service workers. It requires employers in covered facilities - including hospitals, nursing homes, mental health clinics, and social service settings - to develop and implement comprehensive prevention plans with specific requirements. These plans must include risk assessments, hazard prevention measures, employee training on violence prevention, and procedures for reporting and investigating violent incidents. The bill also amends Medicare regulations to require compliance with these standards for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities receiving Medicare funds.