Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Maddy summaryHR 1719, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023, establishes a presumption that certain cancers diagnosed in public safety officers (like police and firefighters) are work-related if linked to their duties. It defines 22 specific cancers (including lung, mesothelioma, and WTC-related cancers) as "exposure-related," allowing officers or their families to receive benefits without proving direct work connection, provided they were diagnosed within 15 years of leaving active service. The bill also creates a process for adding new cancers to the list based on scientific evidence, requiring the Bureau to review petitions and make decisions within 180 days. This applies to deaths or disabilities occurring on or after January 1, 2023, directly affecting officers who developed covered cancers during service.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies Medicare rules to allow doctors to provide certain critical medications directly in their offices without extra administrative hurdles. It specifically amends a Medicare provision (Section 1877(b)(2) of the Social Security Act) to remove a requirement that drugs furnished in-office must follow specific administrative rules, effective May 11, 2023. The bill also directs the removal of conflicting Medicare guidance published in 2021 and 2023, which had previously restricted this practice. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (seniors) and doctors' offices that supply covered medications during patient visits. It streamlines access to necessary drugs by eliminating an unnecessary barrier to in-office medication administration under Medicare.

Maddy summaryHR 3433, the "Give Kids a Chance Act of 2024," requires pharmaceutical companies developing certain cancer drugs to conduct pediatric studies if the drugs target molecular pathways relevant to childhood cancers. It directly affects drug manufacturers submitting new applications for cancer treatments, particularly those combining previously approved adult cancer drugs or containing a single new active ingredient. The bill amends FDA regulations to mandate these pediatric investigations only when specific conditions are met, such as when a drug's molecular target is relevant to pediatric cancer growth. The FDA must issue implementing guidance within 12 months, and reports to Congress will track implementation and effectiveness starting 2 years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hospitals and transplant centers from denying organ transplants or related services to people with disabilities solely because of their disability. It requires covered entities to make reasonable modifications to policies (like considering a patient's support network for post-transplant care) and provide auxiliary aids (such as communication services or accessible health information). The law specifically prevents discrimination based on disability during evaluation, listing, and treatment, while clarifying that medical decisions must be based on individualized assessments - not disability alone. It applies to all organ transplant processes and allows individuals to file complaints with the Department of Health and Human Services or sue for violations.

Maddy summaryHR 9742 extends the expiration dates for multiple existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and authorities from 2024 to 2025. It specifically updates deadlines for health care services (like copayment collection, nursing home care, rural health access, and animal therapy programs), memorial headstone eligibility, homeless veteran assistance programs, and administrative authorities (such as transportation services and IG subpoena powers). These extensions ensure continuity of current VA services for veterans without creating new benefits or changing program eligibility. The bill directly affects veterans receiving VA healthcare, burial benefits, housing assistance, and homeless support services.

Maddy summaryHR 9699, the Pay Our Troops Act, ensures military personnel and key support staff continue receiving pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2025. It appropriates funds to cover pay and allowances for active-duty troops, Department of Defense civilians, and qualifying contractors supporting military operations, if regular appropriations aren't enacted. The funding remains in effect until the earliest of: a new appropriations law, a funding resolution without such funding, or January 1, 2026. This bill does not change pay rates or create new policies - it guarantees existing pay continuity during budget transitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an age restriction preventing working adults with disabilities from enrolling in Medicaid buy-in programs. Specifically, it amends two sections of the Social Security Act (1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV) and 1905(v)(1)(A)) by deleting the phrase "but less than 65," which previously limited eligibility to those under 65. The change directly affects working adults with disabilities of all ages who currently cannot access Medicaid buy-in options due to this age cap. It would allow them to maintain Medicaid coverage while working, without being excluded based on age.

Maddy summaryHR 4424, the Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to study the rate of cholangiocarcinoma (a type of bile duct cancer) among veterans who served in the Vietnam theater during the Vietnam era. The bill requires the VA, working with the CDC, to analyze existing cancer registry data to compare cancer rates between these veterans and the general U.S. population, breaking down results by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and location. The VA must report its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of completing the study, with ongoing periodic updates. This study aims to identify patterns and inform potential future actions for affected veterans, without changing current benefits or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThe Preventing the Financing of Illegal Synthetic Drugs Act (HR 1076) requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study how criminal groups finance synthetic drug trafficking into the U.S., including the use of social media platforms and payment apps like CashApp. The study will examine business models, money laundering tactics, government efforts to disrupt these networks, and overlaps with human trafficking. It must be completed within one year of enactment, with findings reported to Congress. This bill does not change existing laws but aims to provide data to inform future policy decisions on combating illicit drug finance.

Maddy summaryHR 9561, the Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act of 2025, ensures that U.S. Border Patrol Agents and Customs and Border Protection officers working during a government shutdown receive their salaries. It appropriates funds from the Treasury (not regular appropriations) to cover their pay during any lapse in discretionary funding in fiscal year 2025. This bill directly affects these specific federal employees who are required to work during shutdowns but would otherwise face pay delays. It is a procedural measure focused solely on payment mechanisms, not on changing work requirements or policy.