Rep. Gabe Vasquez

Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act or the I CAN Act This bill allows other health care providers besides physicians (e.g., nurses) to provide certain services under Medicare and Medicaid. Among other changes, the bill (1) allows a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for Medicare coverage of special shoes for diabetic individuals; (2) expedites the ability of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise Medicare cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs; and (3) allows nurse practitioners to certify the need for inpatient hospital services under Medicare and Medicaid.

Maddy summaryHR 1330 establishes the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino, authorizing its location within the National Mall's "Reserve" area. The bill requires the Smithsonian Board to coordinate with federal agencies managing potential museum sites, including notifying relevant congressional committees before land transfers. It mandates that the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse cultures, histories, and viewpoints of Hispanic and Latino communities in the U.S., seeking input from a broad range of community experts. The Smithsonian must also submit regular reports to Congress detailing compliance with these representation requirements.

LPOE Modernization Trust Fund Act This bill establishes the Land Port of Entry Modernization Trust Fund and addresses other issues related to U.S. ports of entry. The bill transfers specified amounts, including a portion of certain collected customs fees, to the trust fund each year. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State to collect certain surcharges related to immigration and land border inspections, with a portion of the surcharges to be deposited into the trust fund. DHS may not seek to increase fees to offset the amounts transferred into the trust fund. Subject to appropriations, the amounts in the trust fund may be used to (1) construct new ports of entry, (2) expand and improve existing ports of entry, (3) procure technology for inspecting and processing traffic passing through ports of entry, and (4) hiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection staff. DHS must also establish the Land Port of Entry Modernization Oversight Board to advise DHS on how to use the trust fund and to review the trust fund's expenditures.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a final settlement of water rights for the Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo of Jemez, and Pueblo of Zia in New Mexico. It ratifies agreements that recognize specific water rights in the Rio San José Stream System and Jemez River Stream System, creating trust funds to support water infrastructure and management. The bill provides $296 million for Acoma, $464 million for Laguna, $290 million for Jemez, and $200 million for Zia, with additional state contributions for water projects. It includes mechanisms to waive certain claims in exchange for these water rights and establishes procedures for environmental compliance and dispute resolution. The settlement becomes effective on the "Enforceability Date" when specific conditions are met, including court approval and fund deposits.

Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the Alternatives to PAIN Act This bill reduces cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for certain non-opioid pain management drugs. Specifically, the bill requires such drugs to be covered without a deductible and to be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier (if any). The bill also prohibits the imposition of prior authorization requirements (i.e., requiring prior approval from a plan) or step therapy requirements (i.e., requiring the use of alternative drugs before a drug is covered under a plan) with respect to such drugs.

Maddy summaryHR 1269, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025, expands benefits for public safety officers (like police and firefighters) who develop certain cancers linked to their work. It adds 22 specific cancers - including lung, mesothelioma, and breast cancer - to the list of conditions presumed to be "exposure-related" and sustained in the line of duty. This presumption applies if the officer served at least 5 years, was diagnosed with the cancer within 15 years after last active duty, and the cancer directly caused death or permanent disability. The bill also establishes a process for adding new cancers every 3 years based on medical evidence from agencies like NIOSH, and allows claims to be filed within 3 years of the law's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Recovery Housing Program through 2031, extending its current funding period and changing how states receive funds. It directs the Secretary to prioritize states with the highest need based on four specific data points: unemployment rates (2019-2023), low labor force participation, drug overdose deaths, and unsheltered homelessness counts. States must use these funds to supplement, not replace, existing housing funding and consult with local housing groups before implementing programs. The bill also allows 2% of funds for technical assistance and best practices sharing.

Maddy summaryHR 1267, the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act, exempts certain water and wastewater treatment facilities from liability under the federal environmental cleanup law (CERCLA) for releases of specific PFAS chemicals. It directly affects public water systems, wastewater treatment plants, municipalities with stormwater permits, and their contractors who handle PFAS while following all applicable laws. The exemption applies only if facilities manage PFAS in compliance with existing federal or state water quality rules, such as through proper biosolids disposal or treated water discharge under permits. However, the bill does not protect facilities that act with gross negligence or willful misconduct in handling PFAS. This law changes liability rules for water systems but does not alter PFAS regulation standards.

Maddy summaryHR 1153, the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2025, provides additional Medicare payments to hospitals training medical residents in rural areas to address physician shortages. Hospitals can receive payments equal to the difference between rural training costs (based on 2015 GAO data adjusted for inflation) and standard graduate medical education payments, for residents spending at least 8 weeks in rural settings. It specifically supports hospitals with residency programs where over 50% of training occurs in rural locations, regardless of specialty or training site. This bill directly affects eligible hospitals, including critical access and rural emergency hospitals, by incentivizing rural physician training through updated Medicare funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Act requires Medicare to cover falls risk assessments and fall prevention services for seniors aged 65+ who have fallen in the previous year. These services, provided by physical or occupational therapists, will be included in Medicare's annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams starting January 1, 2026. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress beginning in 2027 on falls among seniors aged 65+ that required treatment for fall-related injuries. This policy directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with a documented history of falls by adding targeted preventive care to their covered benefits.