Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary of independence). Congressional leadership will determine its contents, including representative materials about the Semiquincentennial, copies of key legislative milestones, and a message to future Congress. The capsule will be sealed on the Capitol's West Lawn by July 4, 2026, and remain unopened until July 4, 2276, when it will be presented to the 244th Congress for their consideration. The bill is procedural and does not affect citizens or change existing laws.

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 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 summaryThe Ejiao Act of 2023 prohibits the import, export, transportation, sale, or purchase of donkeys, donkey hides, and products containing ejiao (a gelatin made from donkey skin) within U.S. borders. It directly affects U.S. businesses and consumers involved in trading these items, aiming to reduce global demand driving the slaughter of millions of donkeys - particularly harming communities in Africa and Latin America that rely on donkeys for farming, transportation, and livelihoods. Key mechanisms include civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, criminal penalties for severe breaches (including fines and imprisonment), and mandatory forfeiture of violative goods. The bill is grounded in congressional findings that the donkey skin trade has caused population collapses (e.g., 76% decline in China since 1992) and devastating social impacts on impoverished families.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Medicare buy-in option for retired or disabled first responders aged 50-64 who have lost employer health coverage. It allows them to enroll in Medicare Part A, B, and D (including prescription drug coverage) before age 65, with premiums calculated based on Medicare's average per-person costs. The coverage counts as "minimum essential coverage" under the Affordable Care Act, qualifying individuals for ACA premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies. It also establishes an oversight board and outreach grants to assist enrollment, while ensuring the program doesn't reduce benefits for existing Medicare beneficiaries or harm Medicare trust funds.

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 summaryThe ORPHAN Cures Act amends the Drug Price Negotiation Program under the Social Security Act to clarify how orphan drugs (medications for rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S.) are treated. It ensures that periods when a drug was designated as an orphan drug are excluded from the time calculation used to determine when the drug can no longer be excluded from price negotiations. The bill also updates the definition to allow a single drug to be designated for multiple rare diseases, rather than just one. This change provides clearer rules for manufacturers and the government regarding orphan drug exclusions in the program.

Maddy summaryThe Maintaining Investments in New Innovation Act (HR 5547) extends the exclusivity period for certain advanced drugs from 7 to 11 years. It defines an "advanced drug product" as a drug using genetically targeted technology to change how genes work, such as drugs that suppress or activate gene function. The bill amends the Social Security Act to update the definition of "qualifying single source drug" to include these advanced therapies with the longer exclusivity period. This change directly affects drug manufacturers developing such advanced therapies and influences Medicare's drug coverage rules by delaying generic competition for these specific treatments.