Rep. Steve Cohen

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to increase participation in clinical trials among underrepresented populations - including racial/ethnic minorities, rural residents, and other historically excluded groups - by addressing financial and logistical barriers. It creates federal grants to fund community outreach, training for diverse clinical trial staff, and partnerships with community organizations. The bill also allows sponsors to cover participants' out-of-pocket costs (like travel and meals) and provide necessary digital tools without violating fraud laws, while making such payments tax-free up to $2,000 per year. These changes directly affect drug/device manufacturers, clinical trial sites, and underserved communities seeking equitable access to medical research.

Maddy summaryHR 8390, the Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2024, eliminates cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for mental health and substance use disorder services during pregnancy and for one year after birth. It applies to people enrolled in group health plans, individual insurance, or federal employee health plans, covering services provided by in-network providers. The bill requires insurers to waive these costs starting two years after enactment, explicitly including telehealth services. It specifically targets care for pregnant and postpartum individuals, ensuring coverage from pregnancy diagnosis through the 12 months following birth.

Maddy summaryThe Essential Caregivers Act of 2024 requires nursing homes and similar facilities to allow residents to designate essential caregivers who provide emotional support or assistance with daily activities. During emergencies when regular visitation is restricted, facilities must permit at least one essential caregiver access to residents daily and cannot deny access without following specific procedures. Facilities may deny access for a maximum of 7 days during emergencies (or 14 days with state approval), and must provide a written explanation and appeal process if access is denied. The bill establishes a 48-hour appeal process for residents and caregivers to challenge denials, with facilities required to prove violations during appeals. This law applies to Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and certain inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 8018, the ABC Act, requires Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security Administration to review their eligibility processes, forms, and communications to simplify interactions for family caregivers. It targets reducing duplicate paperwork, improving website accessibility (including ADA compliance), and enhancing staff communication - such as shorter call waits and multilingual support - to better serve caregivers supporting individuals enrolled in these programs. The review must include input from caregivers and organizations, with results reported to Congress within one year. This procedural bill does not change program benefits but mandates systemic improvements to reduce administrative burdens.

Maddy summaryThe SOAR Act of 2024 removes supplemental oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services from Medicare's competitive bidding program, ensuring direct Medicare payment for these items starting in 2025. It establishes new payment rates for oxygen services, including specific rates for rural areas and liquid oxygen with annual inflation adjustments, and requires oxygen suppliers to provide specific services like initial evaluations, safety education, and 24-hour coverage. The bill also adds respiratory therapist services to Medicare coverage with a new payment add-on, requires electronic templates for documenting medical necessity for oxygen services, and establishes new beneficiary rights including the right to choose suppliers and receive timely equipment repairs. This legislation directly affects Medicare beneficiaries requiring oxygen therapy, oxygen suppliers, and respiratory therapists by changing how these services are paid for and delivered.

Maddy summaryThe State Public Option Act creates a new Medicaid buy-in program allowing individuals without other health insurance to purchase coverage starting January 1, 2025. This program limits premiums to 8.5% of household income and requires states to cover comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion, beginning in 2025. The bill also establishes how Affordable Care Act premium tax credits apply to this coverage and includes provisions for quality measures and payment rates for primary care services under Medicaid.

Maddy summaryHR 7224 extends funding for the SOAR to Health and Wellness Training Program by updating its authorization period in law from fiscal years 2020-2024 to 2025-2029. This procedural bill directly affects the existing program, which trains health professionals to identify and address patient health concerns through observation and communication. It does not create new requirements or change program operations, only renewing the legal funding timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to better support low-income elderly, blind, and disabled individuals. It raises key financial thresholds: the resource limit for single individuals increases from $2,250 to $20,000 (adjusted annually for inflation), and the general income exclusion rises from $240 to $1,797 per month. The bill also removes a penalty that reduced benefits for married couples, excludes retirement accounts and tribal general welfare payments from resource calculations, and eliminates outdated requirements like dedicated accounts for past-due benefits. These changes directly affect SSI recipients by making it easier to qualify and maintain benefits without losing support due to minor income or resource fluctuations.

Maddy summaryHR 7142 (Alternatives to PAIN Act) requires Medicare Part D plans to cover non-opioid pain management drugs with no deductible and at the lowest copay level starting in 2025. It defines "qualifying non-opioid drugs" as FDA-approved medications that don’t act on opioid receptors (like certain NSAIDs or nerve pain treatments), excluding opioids and schedule I-III drugs. The bill prohibits Medicare plans from forcing patients to try opioids first (step therapy) or requiring prior approval for these non-opioid options. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries needing pain management, especially those seeking alternatives to opioids for post-surgical or acute pain. The policy change aims to improve access to non-addictive pain treatments while preserving doctors' authority to prescribe medically appropriate care.

Maddy summaryThe Nutrition CARE Act of 2024 expands Medicare Part B coverage to include medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries diagnosed with eating disorders. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with eating disorders - particularly an estimated 420,500-560,700 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color seniors - by requiring coverage for 13 hours of initial care (including assessment) and 4 hours annually for ongoing management. The bill amends Medicare law to specify that these services must be provided by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals following referrals from physicians or psychologists. Coverage applies to all eating disorders as defined by the DSM-5, addressing a gap where Medicare previously excluded this critical treatment component. This policy change aims to improve access to evidence-based care for a condition linked to high mortality and significant healthcare costs.