Rep. Dwight Evans

Maddy summaryThe Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2023 establishes a national goal to cut child poverty in half within five years by creating a standardized measurement system. It mandates the U.S. Census Bureau to track an "anchored" Supplemental Poverty Measure for children annually, adjusting for inflation using the Consumer Price Index, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish annual reports analyzing how federal policies affect this measure - including impacts on deep poverty and racial disparities. The bill also creates a public clearinghouse on the HHS website to host these reports, the poverty measure data, and related resources. It authorizes specific funding limits ($2 million for data development, $1.2 million for initial reports) but does not create new direct aid programs.

Maddy summaryThe MORE Act (HR 5601) would federally decriminalize cannabis by removing it from the Schedule I list of controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act. It requires federal courts to expunge non-violent cannabis convictions and associated arrests, with a focus on addressing racial disparities in cannabis enforcement. The bill creates an Opportunity Trust Fund that would allocate 50% of funds to criminal justice programs, 20% to small business assistance for minority cannabis entrepreneurs, and 20% to community reinvestment grants for individuals impacted by the War on Drugs. It also prohibits federal agencies from denying benefits or security clearances based on cannabis use or past cannabis convictions, and establishes a Cannabis Justice Office to administer these programs.

Maddy summaryThe CARE for Moms Act aims to reduce maternal mortality in the United States by improving healthcare access and quality for pregnant and postpartum women, with specific attention to racial disparities. Key provisions include requiring 12-month continuous Medicaid coverage for postpartum individuals (up from 60 days), expanding oral health coverage during pregnancy, and funding State-Based Perinatal Quality Collaboratives through $35 million annual grants. The bill specifically targets the higher maternal mortality rates faced by Black women, who are about 3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. It also includes provisions for doula services, rural mobile health units, and improved data collection on maternal health outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits government agencies from using administrative offset to withhold Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Black Lung benefits to pay other debts. It nullifies specific provisions in federal law (31 U.S.C. § 3716(c)(3)) that allowed such offsets, effectively banning this practice. The law directly affects beneficiaries of these programs who previously had benefits reduced or withheld for unrelated debts like student loans or taxes. The change applies to all collections occurring after the bill's enactment, covering claims arising before, on, or after that date.

Maddy summaryThe Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023 repeals a 2018 payment adjustment for Medicare home health agencies, restoring prior payment rates for 2024 and subsequent years. It requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to analyze how home health agencies' financial performance affects access to care, including reviewing spending and utilization data across Medicare, Medicaid, and other payers. Starting in 2025, the bill mandates home health agencies to report detailed data on visit volumes and payments by payer source (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurers) through updated cost reports. This data will help MedPAC assess payment policy impacts on access to home health services for Medicare beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThe HOPE for Haitian Prosperity Act extends duty-free access for Haitian goods to the U.S. market until 2035, with specific extensions for apparel and other exports. It requires Haitian producers to meet labor standards on minimum wages, working hours, and safe conditions to maintain this trade benefit. The bill also creates a new U.S. technical assistance program to help Haiti diversify exports, focusing on agriculture, apparel, and services, while requiring collaboration with Haitian government, businesses, and labor groups. Annual reports to Congress will track progress on these efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act expands Medicare's drug price negotiation program from 20 to 50 drugs, allowing the government to negotiate lower prices for these medications. It requires private health insurance plans and group health coverage to apply these negotiated prices to their members' cost-sharing for covered drugs, with plans able to opt out while publicly disclosing their decision. The bill also extends these negotiated prices to drugs covered by commercial insurance markets, not just Medicare. This would directly affect Medicare beneficiaries and people with private health insurance who take the negotiated drugs.

Maddy summaryThe Pathways to Health Careers Act creates a federal grant program to help low-income individuals (those with family income at or below 200% of the Federal poverty level) enter health professions. It provides $425 million annually for fiscal years 2024-2028 to fund training programs that must include support services like adult basic education, child care, transportation, and career coaching. The bill requires grant recipients to serve at least 10% of participants who qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and sets aside funding for demonstration projects focused on people with arrest/conviction records and maternal health career pathways. Recipients must track outcomes including credential attainment, employment in health professions, and earnings. This program directly affects low-income individuals seeking health careers and the organizations that will administer these training programs.

Maddy summaryHR 4734, the MORE Act, changes how federal health profession opportunity grants are awarded. It requires the Secretary to give preference to applicants who have established partnerships with three specific types of organizations: state/local government agencies, higher education institutions/apprenticeship programs, and healthcare employers or industry groups. This preference applies to applicants seeking grants under Section 2008 of the Social Security Act, directly affecting organizations applying for these federal training funds. The changes take effect on October 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHR 4735, the Mentoring and Supporting Families Act, amends the Social Security Act to require federal grant programs for workforce development to prioritize applications including peer mentoring, career coaching, and optional cash stipends. It mandates that funded projects incorporate career coaching and peer support into case management plans to help participants build job skills and professional connections. The bill directly affects state and local agencies administering workforce programs under Section 2008 of the Social Security Act. The changes take effect October 1, 2023.