Rep. Gerald E. Connolly

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare providers to inform patients about breast reconstruction coverage before performing a mastectomy. Specifically, it mandates that providers must tell patients their Medicare coverage includes breast reconstruction surgery following a medically necessary mastectomy (covered under Medicare's existing national policy 140.2) and document this discussion in the patient's medical record. The requirement applies to all mastectomies performed on or after one year after the bill's enactment. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries undergoing mastectomies and the healthcare providers who perform these procedures, ensuring patients are aware of existing coverage options. The bill does not change Medicare's coverage rules but ensures patients receive clear information about available benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal rights for individuals to access fertility treatment without restrictions inconsistent with widely accepted medical standards. It requires health insurance plans, Medicaid, Medicare, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to cover fertility treatment when they cover obstetrical services, defining fertility treatment broadly to include procedures like in vitro fertilization, genetic testing, and medication. The bill creates specific fertility treatment benefits for military members and veterans, including counseling and treatment without regard to sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It also establishes enforcement mechanisms, allowing individuals to sue if their rights are violated or the Attorney General to take action against states implementing restrictive laws.

Maddy summaryHR 8796, the "Stop Comstock Act," removes outdated restrictions from federal law that previously banned the distribution of materials related to contraception and abortion as "obscene" or "indecent." The bill amends Title 18 and the Tariff Act by deleting references to "indecent," "immoral," "unlawful abortion," and "procuring abortion" from provisions governing obscene materials. It clarifies that the law only prohibits "obscene materials" in commerce, eliminating broad restrictions on reproductive health information. This directly affects internet platforms, healthcare providers, and individuals sharing reproductive health resources by removing legal barriers to their distribution.

Maddy summaryThe MEGOBARI Act directs the U.S. government to investigate and address democratic backsliding in Georgia. It requires reports within 90 days on Georgian corruption tied to Russian interests, sanctions evasion, and Russian intelligence assets, followed by potential sanctions against Georgian officials deemed responsible for undermining democracy or advancing Russian-style laws. The bill also establishes a U.S. democracy monitoring task force in Georgia and links additional U.S. aid - including trade negotiations, visa liberalization, economic packages, and defense support - to Georgia's progress toward fair elections and a free political environment. These provisions directly affect Georgia's government officials (who could face sanctions) and Georgia's eligibility for U.S. assistance. The bill does not impose new sanctions but mandates U.S. agencies to identify and sanction specific Georgian individuals under existing legal authorities.

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.

Maddy summaryThe Healthy MOM Act (HR 6716) would require health insurance plans to provide a special enrollment period for pregnant individuals beginning when pregnancy is reported to the insurer. It would mandate that group health plans cover maternity care for all dependents, including young women who might otherwise lack coverage due to plan exclusions. The bill would extend Medicaid coverage for pregnant individuals and infants to a full 12 months postpartum, rather than the current 60-day period. These provisions aim to improve access to comprehensive maternity care, which the bill states could prevent 3 in 5 pregnancy-related deaths by addressing coverage gaps that disproportionately affect women of color.

Maddy summaryThe Ejiao Act of 2023 prohibits the import, export, transportation, sale, or purchase of donkeys, donkey hides, and products containing ejiao (a gelatin made from donkey skin) within U.S. borders. It directly affects U.S. businesses and consumers involved in trading these items, aiming to reduce global demand driving the slaughter of millions of donkeys - particularly harming communities in Africa and Latin America that rely on donkeys for farming, transportation, and livelihoods. Key mechanisms include civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, criminal penalties for severe breaches (including fines and imprisonment), and mandatory forfeiture of violative goods. The bill is grounded in congressional findings that the donkey skin trade has caused population collapses (e.g., 76% decline in China since 1992) and devastating social impacts on impoverished families.

Maddy summaryHR 5744, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2023, would impose a carbon fee on fossil fuels (crude oil, coal, and natural gas) based on their greenhouse gas emissions, starting at $15 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent in 2023 and increasing by $10 annually. The revenue from this fee would be distributed directly to American citizens as monthly "carbon dividends" through a new trust fund, with adults receiving full payments and children under 19 receiving half payments. The bill also establishes a border fee adjustment on imported carbon-intensive products to prevent companies from moving operations to countries with weaker environmental regulations. It sets specific emissions reduction targets: 8% annual reductions from 2025-2030 and 2.5% annual reductions from 2031-2050 relative to 2005 levels. The carbon fee would be phased out once emissions drop to 10% of 2005 levels and monthly dividends fall below $20 for three consecutive years.

Maddy summaryThe Climate Resilience Workforce Act establishes a coordinated federal system to build a workforce for climate resilience, directly affecting workers in climate-related sectors and prioritizing frontline communities (low-income, communities of color, Tribal communities) and populations facing employment barriers (undocumented individuals, formerly incarcerated people). Key mechanisms include grant programs for state and local climate resilience planning, job creation grants requiring 40% of jobs to go to frontline communities and populations facing barriers, and minimum labor standards including $15/hour wages (increasing annually), employer-paid health insurance, and protections against discrimination. The bill creates an Office of Climate Resilience, a Climate Resilience Equity Advisory Board, and a Center for the Climate Resilience Workforce to define climate resilience sectors and ensure equitable hiring practices. It also removes employment barriers through immigration status protections, criminal record reforms, and drug testing policy changes for climate resilience workers.

Maddy summaryThe End Diaper Need Act of 2023 creates a federal program that will provide free diapers and incontinence supplies to low-income families with infants, toddlers, medically complex children (3+ years old with chronic health conditions), and low-income adults with disabilities. It allocates $200 million annually from 2024-2027 to fund this assistance through states and community organizations, making medically necessary diapers eligible for reimbursement through health savings accounts and other health benefit programs. The legislation requires integration with existing services like Medicaid, WIC, and TANF, and includes annual reporting requirements and an evaluation of the program's effectiveness within two years.