Maddy summaryThe FASD Respect Act (S.1800) establishes a new federal program within the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). It directly affects individuals with FASD, their families, and healthcare providers by requiring HHS to fund research, improve diagnostic standards, and build state and tribal capacity for prevention and support services. Key provisions include creating FASD Centers for Excellence to develop culturally appropriate screening tools, train medical and social service professionals, and maintain national resource directories for FASD care. The bill mandates HHS to report on progress within four years and authorizes $5 million annually for fiscal years 2024-2028 to support these efforts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1774, the ASSIST Act) increases federal funding for mental health and substance use disorder services provided in schools and school-based health centers. It raises the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) to 90% for eligible state expenditures on these services starting 12 months after enactment, directly benefiting public schools, school-based health centers, and students needing these services. The bill also creates a new grant program through the HHS Secretary to fund eligible entities (like school districts, universities, or tribal schools) to hire more licensed mental health providers, with requirements for cultural competence, reporting on provider numbers and retention, and a ban on using funds for threat assessment teams. These provisions aim to expand access to school-based mental health care without reducing funding for other Medicaid services.
Maddy summaryThis bill would create a federal paid family and medical leave insurance program, providing wage replacement benefits for workers who need time off for family or medical reasons. Eligible workers would receive up to $4,000 per month (with a minimum of $580), calculated as 85% of the first $1,257 in monthly earnings, 69% of the next $2,243, and 50% of any amount above that. The program would be funded through 0.2% payroll taxes on both employees and employers, administered by the Social Security Administration. It would directly affect workers who meet income requirements, with benefits available for up to 60 caregiving days per benefit period.
American Infrastructure Bonds Act of 2023 This bill allows the issuer of an American infrastructure bond a tax credit for 28% of the interest payable under such bond.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs federal health programs to prioritize services for racial and ethnic minority groups experiencing mental health disparities. It creates a new grant program (amending the Public Health Service Act) requiring special consideration for community health centers serving these populations, and mandates a National Institutes of Health study on disparities in mental health outcomes, including impacts of trauma and bias. The bill also requires training standards for health professionals in culturally appropriate care and funds a national outreach strategy to reduce stigma and improve access to evidence-based treatments. Key funding includes $750 million annually for the National Institute on Minority Health and $150 million for NIH mental health research through 2029.
Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification 2.0 Act or the BENES 2.0 Act This bill requires Social Security account statements for individuals attaining ages 60 to 65 to include information about Medicare eligibility, late enrollment penalties, benefit coordination, and related resources. Statements with the required information must be mailed to individuals at least three months before they turn 65; the required information must also be mailed to those who are age 65 or over and are entitled to Social Security benefits three months before their initial Medicare enrollment period begins.
Maddy summaryThe Affordability is Access Act of 2023 requires health insurance plans to cover over-the-counter contraceptives approved by the FDA without cost-sharing (such as copays or deductibles). It directly affects millions of people, especially those who rely on birth control but face cost barriers, including low-income individuals and people in contraceptive deserts. The bill clarifies that insurance coverage must include FDA-approved OTC contraceptives even without a prescription, and it mandates retailers to provide accurate information about these products without interfering with access. Retailers may refuse to sell the product if payment cannot be made, but they cannot block access or spread misinformation.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends Medicare reimbursement rate increases for ground ambulance services through 2028. It adjusts specific payment percentages for ambulance providers: maintaining a 26.7% rate increase for "super rural" ambulance services and setting 4.3% and 3.4% increases for other ground ambulance services during 2025-2028. These changes directly affect Medicare beneficiaries using ground ambulance services and the ambulance providers who serve them, particularly in rural areas. The bill modifies existing Social Security Act provisions to adjust payment rates without altering Medicare eligibility or coverage rules. It provides temporary rate adjustments to help sustain ambulance service availability during this period.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program to increase annual funding from $10 million to $15 million for fiscal years 2024-2028, expanding support for farmers and ranchers facing mental health challenges. It adds crisis lines to the program's services and creates new referral pathways to connect individuals with certified community clinics, rural health centers, and other approved healthcare providers. The changes directly affect agricultural workers and their families by improving access to behavioral health counseling and wellness support. Key provisions include updated funding levels and expanded partnerships with specific healthcare facilities to ensure comprehensive mental health care.
Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps (1943-1948) as veterans for specific benefits. It amends veterans' law to count their service as "active duty" for eligibility to benefits under Chapters 23 and 24 of Title 38 (including headstones), excluding Arlington National Cemetery interment. The Secretary of Defense must issue honorable discharges to qualifying individuals within one year of the bill’s enactment and may create commemorative medals or plaques. It clarifies that recipients gain veteran status for these specific benefits but do not qualify for other VA benefits solely based on this service. The bill directly affects women who were honorably discharged from the Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII.