Rep. Josh Gottheimer

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 summaryThe Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2023 requires state child welfare agencies to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) in all cases involving Native American children. It amends federal child welfare laws to mandate specific ICWA compliance measures in state plans, such as timely tribal notice in custody cases and proper foster care placements. The bill establishes a system for measuring state compliance, tracking factors like identification of Indian children and court decisions on parental rights. States must submit biennial reports to Congress on their progress in meeting these requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 3423, the SAVE Act, defines "common name" for agricultural products (like "Cheddar" for cheese or "Merlot" for wine) as a term routinely used on packaging, consistent with international standards. It requires the Agriculture Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate agreements with foreign countries to protect U.S. producers' right to use these common names in international markets. The bill directly affects U.S. agricultural exporters, processors, and producers who rely on familiar product names. It mandates biennial reports to Congress on these trade efforts, focusing on preserving market access for U.S. goods using common names.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Medicare coverage for colorectal cancer screenings. It eliminates out-of-pocket coinsurance costs for these screenings starting in 2026, requiring Medicare to cover 100% of the cost instead of the previous 85% for that year. The change applies to all subsequent years and directly affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking routine colorectal cancer screenings. The key provision amends Medicare Part B to remove the coinsurance requirement for these specific preventive services.

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 summaryHR 3033, the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023, repeals the expiration date (sunset) from the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act. This permanently maintains existing U.S. sanctions targeting Iran's weapons programs, ballistic missile development, and support for terrorism. The bill directly affects Iran's government and entities involved in these activities by ensuring sanctions remain in effect without needing periodic renewal. It does not impose new sanctions but preserves current policy by removing the automatic expiration provision.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 2474, the "Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act," changes how Medicare pays physicians for services. It replaces the previous two-part payment system (used through 2025) with a single annual payment rate update starting in 2024. This update will be based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI), which tracks costs for medical providers. The change directly affects Medicare-certified doctors and clinics who receive payments under the physician fee schedule.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Medicare to cover FDA-approved blood tests that screen for multiple cancers simultaneously (like breast, lung, or colorectal cancer) for beneficiaries. It directly affects Medicare recipients aged 65+ who could access these new screenings once per year, without prior authorization. The key provision adds "multi-cancer early detection screening tests" to Medicare's covered services under Part B, defining them as blood tests analyzing cell-free DNA, while maintaining existing coverage for standard screenings like mammograms. The bill does not change current coverage for individual cancer screenings but ensures Medicare keeps pace with new medical technology.