Rep. Mike Carey

Maddy summaryThis bill sets new deadlines for states to spend federal funds under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. States must obligate funds by the end of the next fiscal year and fully spend them by the end of the second following year, with a limited exception allowing up to 15% of annual funds to be reserved (capped at 50% of the prior year's total). It also extends the current TANF program authorization through September 30, 2026, maintaining 2023 funding levels without new appropriations. The bill directly affects state agencies managing TANF, requiring clearer timelines for fund use while preserving program continuity.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how Medicare interacts with workers' compensation settlements for work-related injuries. It requires that workers' compensation settlements including a "Medicare set-aside" (a payment covering future Medicare-eligible medical care) must satisfy Medicare's secondary payer rules. The set-aside amount must account for factors like the injury type, claimant's life expectancy, and future medical needs, calculated using workers' comp fee schedules. Settling parties can optionally seek Medicare's approval for the set-aside amount before finalizing agreements. The rule applies to settlements effective January 1, 2025, or later, directly affecting injured workers with Medicare and their workers' compensation payers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare to provide clear outreach and education so Medicare beneficiaries (enrolled in Part A, Part B, or Medicare Advantage plans) can authorize family caregivers to access their health information via 1-800-MEDICARE. It mandates the inclusion of a specific authorization form (CMS-10106) in Medicare notices and on Medicare.gov, along with training for call center staff. The Secretary must also share best practices to prevent fraud related to caregiver access and make materials available in non-English languages. It directly affects beneficiaries, their family caregivers, healthcare providers, and Medicare call center operators.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for certain tax-advantaged health accounts to cover medical expenses for parents. It amends the tax code to allow individuals to use funds from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) for qualified medical care of their parents or their spouse's parents - previously limited to immediate family members. The changes apply to expenses incurred after December 31, 2023, directly benefiting adult caregivers (like children supporting elderly parents) who use these accounts for parental healthcare costs. The bill makes no new funding commitments but adjusts existing account rules to reduce out-of-pocket costs for caregivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Medicare eligibility rules to explicitly include occupational therapy as a qualifying service for home health care. It changes the Social Security Act to state that beneficiaries need "occupational, or speech therapy" (instead of only "speech therapy") to qualify for home health services. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries requiring occupational therapy at home, expanding access to this specific care. The policy takes effect for services provided on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds 1,000 new medical residency positions (500 in 2024 and 500 across 2025-2028) specifically for training in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine. It directly affects hospitals that have or will establish approved residency programs in these fields. Hospitals receiving these positions must use them for addiction-related training for five years, with unused positions redistributed if requirements aren't met. The goal is to expand the healthcare workforce addressing the substance use disorder crisis by increasing specialized training opportunities.

Maddy summaryThe Preserving Seniors’ Access to Physicians Act of 2023 increases the Medicare payment adjustment rate for physicians from 1.25% to 4.62%, directly affecting doctors who treat Medicare patients (primarily seniors). It also reduces the funding for the Medicaid improvement fund from $5,796,117,810 to $3,973,117,810. These changes impact Medicare providers and Medicaid programs, with the Medicare adjustment aimed at supporting physicians adjusting to payment changes. The bill does not specify how the Medicaid funding reduction relates to its stated goal of preserving seniors' access to physicians.

Maddy summaryHR 6541 directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund duties paid on specific steel and aluminum imports that were retroactively approved for exclusion from additional duties under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. It applies only to steel articles (Harmonized Tariff Schedule 9903.80.01) and aluminum articles (9903.85.01) that received retroactive exclusion approval from the Department of Commerce during 2020-2021. Importers must submit a request within 180 days of the bill’s enactment with details to verify eligibility, and refunds must be issued within 90 days of processing. This bill corrects past overpayments without interest, directly affecting businesses that paid duties on these excluded products.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents Medicare from publicly disclosing a physician's or practitioner's home address if they provide telehealth services from home and the address is required for enrollment or billing. It directly affects doctors and healthcare providers who choose to deliver telehealth services from their residences. The key provision amends Medicare rules to ensure that even when an address is needed for administrative purposes, the home location remains private and cannot be shared publicly. This is a specific privacy safeguard, not a broad policy change to telehealth services.

Maddy summaryThe Maximum Pressure Act (HR 6114) is a legislative proposal that would maintain and expand U.S. sanctions against Iran. The bill would codify existing sanctions, require Iran to meet 12 specific conditions before sanctions could be lifted (including ending support for terrorism, releasing hostages, and ending nuclear enrichment), and expand sanctions on Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and missile programs. It also establishes new reporting requirements for the U.S. government to monitor Iran's activities and the impact of sanctions. The legislation would require congressional review before any sanctions could be lifted or modified, preventing the executive branch from unilaterally easing restrictions.