Rep. Daniel S. Goldman

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 summaryThe Working Families Task Force Act of 2023 establishes a federal task force led by the Secretary of Labor, including representatives from eight departments (including Health, Education, Housing, and Treasury), to examine challenges facing working families. The task force will identify key issues like affordable childcare, housing access, livable wages, and tax credit effectiveness, then develop policy recommendations to improve their standard of living. It must meet quarterly, submit an initial report within 180 days, and provide annual updates to relevant congressional committees. The bill directly affects working families by creating a coordinated federal effort to address their economic challenges through agency collaboration. It does not create new programs but mandates a review of existing policies to inform future legislative action.

Maddy summaryThe PROTECT 340B Act of 2023 prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), health insurance plans, and health insurance issuers from discriminating against healthcare providers participating in the 340B drug pricing program. It specifically bans these entities from paying less for 340B drugs than they would for similar drugs dispensed by non-340B providers, imposing special requirements on 340B providers, or requiring identification of 340B drugs in billing. The bill establishes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation per day for PBMs that violate these protections and requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to create implementing regulations. It directly affects safety-net hospitals, clinics, and health centers that serve low-income patients, particularly those in rural areas, by protecting their ability to use 340B drug discounts to provide affordable care.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, adjusts how health insurance subsidies are calculated for people buying coverage through the marketplace. It replaces the previous subsidy formula with a sliding scale based on income, where households earning up to 150% of the poverty line pay 0% of premiums, and those at 400% or more pay 8.5%. The change applies to all income tiers between these points, with percentages increasing incrementally (e.g., 2% for 150-200% income). This directly affects individuals purchasing health insurance through the marketplace who qualify for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. The bill amends Section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code and takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022.

Maddy summaryThe E-BIKE Act establishes a 30% tax credit for individuals purchasing qualified electric bicycles, with a maximum credit of $1,500 per bicycle (30% of the $5,000 cost limit). To qualify, bicycles must meet specific safety standards including speed limits (20 mph for classes 1-2, 28 mph for class 3), pedal assistance requirements, and safety certifications like UL 2849. The credit phases out for higher-income taxpayers, beginning at $150,000 modified adjusted gross income for single filers, $225,000 for heads of household, and $300,000 for joint filers. The bill also includes a provision allowing retailers to claim the credit directly when selling qualifying bicycles, reducing the upfront cost for consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage for hereditary cancer prevention and management. It requires Medicare to cover genetic testing for individuals with a personal or family history of hereditary cancer mutations, as defined by evidence-based guidelines from organizations like the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. The bill also mandates coverage for risk-reducing surgeries (like mastectomies or oophorectomies) when medically appropriate, and increases the frequency of recommended cancer screenings (such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and breast MRI) to at least annually for those with confirmed hereditary cancer gene mutations. These changes apply to Medicare beneficiaries with specific hereditary cancer risk factors, effective upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Social Security Expansion Act would increase benefits for many Social Security recipients, extend eligibility for certain groups, and introduce new tax provisions. It raises the calculation method for benefits (increasing the first bend point from 90% to 95%), increases minimum benefits for low earners based on years worked (with higher minimums for those with more work history), and extends benefit eligibility for children who are full-time students until age 22. The bill also introduces a new tax on income between the Social Security wage base and $250,000, and increases the tax on investment income from 3.8% to 16.2%. These changes would primarily affect Social Security beneficiaries, high-income earners, and those with investment income, with the new tax revenues funding the Social Security Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryThe Stop the Wait Act of 2023 eliminates the current 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits by phasing it out: applications filed in 2023-2025 would face a 3-month wait, 2026 a 2-month wait, and 2027 a 1-month wait, with full elimination by January 2028. It also changes Medicare rules to allow individuals without minimum essential health coverage to receive Medicare benefits retroactively from the first month of SSDI eligibility, rather than waiting 24 months. This directly affects people under 65 applying for SSDI who lack other health insurance, ensuring they have coverage during the waiting period. The bill amends the Social Security Act to implement these changes, effective January 1, 2028.