Rep. John H. Rutherford

Maddy summaryThe PRICE Act (HR 5113) increases penalties for assaulting, resisting, or obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers or employees. It would double the maximum prison sentence and adjust fines for such offenses when the victim is an ICE officer or employee. This bill directly affects individuals who commit violent or obstructive acts against ICE personnel by imposing harsher punishments. The key provision amends federal law to add a specific penalty enhancement for ICE-related cases within existing assault provisions.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 118 is a symbolic resolution proposing that September 12, 2025, be designated as "The Day of the Bible" in the U.S. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups. The resolution asks Congress to express support for the designation and encourages schools, civic groups, and communities to hold educational activities about the Bible's historical role. It also requires the President to issue an annual proclamation for this day, recognizing the 1782 approval of the Aitken Bible as a milestone in American history. The bill is purely ceremonial with no legal obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes "cottage family homes" as a new foster care placement option under federal law. It defines these homes to require trauma-informed care, prohibit seclusion/restraints (except brief physical restraint for safety), ensure children can participate in normal activities, and maintain family connections. The bill removes time limits on foster care payments for children in these homes and gives states flexibility to classify them as foster family homes if they serve children's best interests. It directly affects foster children placed in cottage homes and the agencies operating them.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the TRICARE Young Adult Program to make healthcare coverage more accessible for military dependents. It directly affects young adults (ages 21-26) who are children of active-duty service members, by eliminating a separate premium they previously paid for coverage. Key changes include removing an extra cost for young adults and adjusting eligibility rules to simplify enrollment. These amendments aim to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and streamline access to health insurance under the program.

Maddy summaryHR 4710, the No Surprises Act Enforcement Act, increases penalties for health insurance plans and issuers that violate balance billing protections, which prevent surprise medical bills. The bill raises fines from $100 to $10,000 per violation for specific balance billing rule violations and adds a new penalty of three times the difference between initial payment and out-of-network rates for late payments after Independent Dispute Resolution decisions. It requires health plans and nonparticipating providers to make timely payments within 30 days of a payment determination, with interest accruing on late payments. The bill also establishes new transparency reporting requirements for the Secretary to submit regular reports to Congress about audits, enforcement actions, and penalties. These provisions directly affect health insurance issuers, group health plans, and nonparticipating healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryHR 4655 establishes a grant program to fund joint U.S.-Israel research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants to U.S. academic institutions or nonprofits partnering with Israeli organizations to develop new PTSD treatments and diagnostics. The program requires research projects to address specific PTSD needs identified by the Department of Defense and mandates joint agreements between U.S. and Israeli entities. Grants must be used for collaborative research, with reports submitted to Congress within 180 days of project completion, and the program terminates 7 years after the first grant is awarded.

Veterans' Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers Act of 2025 or the Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025 This bill addresses the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) and other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care matters. Among other provisions regarding the VCCP, the bill establishes in statute access standards that determine when a veteran is eligible to receive non-VA care through the VCCP, requires the VA to notify veterans regarding their eligibility for care within two business days after the VA is aware the veteran is seeking care, and extends the deadline for the submittal of claims under the VCCP by health care entities and providers. The VA must address its mental health treatment programs by establishing a standardized screening process to determine whether a veteran satisfies criteria for priority or routine admission to a mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program or a program for residential care for mental health and substance abuse disorders, tracking the performance of medical facilities and Veterans Integrated Service Networks in meeting the requirements for mental health treatment screenings and timely admission to treatment programs under such screenings, and establishing an appeal process for when a veteran is denied admission to a covered treatment program or is accepted into a program but not offered bed placement in a timely manner. Additionally, the VA must establish an online self-service module for veterans to request and manage appointments, track referrals, and appeal and track decisions related to requests for care.

Maddy summaryHR 4606, the Ally’s Act, requires private health insurance plans (including employer-sponsored plans and individual coverage) to cover hearing implants and related services. It directly affects people with hearing loss who need cochlear implants, bone conduction devices, or external sound processors, as determined by a physician or audiologist. The bill mandates coverage for devices, maintenance, repairs, upgrades every 5 years, hearing assessments, surgery, and rehabilitation - without separate cost-sharing or stricter limits than other medical services. Insurers cannot deny coverage if a provider deems the service medically necessary. The law applies to all applicable health plans and takes effect for plan years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, canceling policies, or increasing premiums based solely on a person's status as a living organ donor. It directly protects living organ donors by preventing insurance discrimination unrelated to actual health risks. The bill also requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update public educational materials about organ donation benefits, risks, and insurance impacts within six months of enactment. These materials will include information on the new insurance protections established by the bill. The law relies on state insurance regulators for enforcement of the insurance provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and federal employee leave rules to clarify that recovery from organ donation surgery qualifies as a "serious health condition." It directly affects private-sector workers covered by the FMLA and federal civil service employees. The key change adds "including recovery from surgery related to organ donation" to the definitions of serious health conditions in both the FMLA and federal leave statutes. This ensures eligible employees can use their existing family and medical leave benefits to recover after donating an organ, without requiring new leave entitlements.