Rep. Lori Trahan

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for designating September 22, 2026, as "National Hispanic Nurses Day" to honor the contributions of Hispanic nurses to the U.S. healthcare system. It specifically recognizes the National Association of Hispanic Nurses as the leading organization representing and advocating for this group of professionals. The bill encourages the public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities that highlight the role of these nurses in reducing health disparities and providing culturally competent care.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for designating the week beginning September 14, 2026, as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week. It recognizes these colleges and universities, which enroll at least 25 percent Hispanic students, for their role in providing higher education access to low-income and underserved populations. The bill highlights that these institutions serve a significant portion of the nation's undergraduate students and contribute to economic mobility. It calls on the public and interested groups to observe the week with ceremonies and activities during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Maddy summaryThe 9-8-8 Implementation Act of 2026 expands federal funding and mandates insurance coverage for behavioral health crisis services, directly affecting individuals experiencing mental health or substance use emergencies as well as the providers who serve them. The bill authorizes grants to upgrade local lifeline call centers, build new crisis stabilization facilities, and train a larger workforce of behavioral health professionals. It requires Medicare, Medicaid, private group health plans, TRICARE, and other federal insurance programs to cover crisis response services with financial terms no more restrictive than standard medical care. Additionally, the legislation establishes a federal panel to develop training protocols for 9-1-1 dispatchers to better connect callers to appropriate crisis care rather than law enforcement responses.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias starting January 1, 2028. It defines eligible tests as FDA-cleared genomic blood tests, blood product analyses, or equivalent medical imaging methods (like protein expression or whole genome sequencing) that detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. Medicare beneficiaries would receive this coverage without cost-sharing for these specific screenings. The bill amends Medicare coverage rules to explicitly include these tests under Section 1861(nnn) of the Social Security Act.

Maddy summaryHR 2004, titled "Tyler’s Law," requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study how often hospital emergency departments test for fentanyl during overdose cases (beyond standard drug tests), including associated costs, patient benefits/risks, and impacts on privacy and patient-physician relationships. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment. Based on the study results, the Secretary must issue guidance within six months on whether emergency departments should routinely test for fentanyl, how to inform clinicians about test contents, and how such testing may affect future overdose risks and health outcomes. This bill directly affects hospital emergency departments and patients experiencing overdoses by shaping future testing protocols.

Maddy summaryHR 1266, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, adds xylazine - a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug mixtures - to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, regulating its use and trafficking. It directly affects veterinarians, animal owners, and manufacturers by allowing xylazine to be legally dispensed for animal use under specific veterinary prescriptions, while prohibiting non-veterinary human use. The bill includes transition periods (60 days for practitioners, 1 year for labeling) to ease compliance for manufacturers and practitioners, and requires the DEA and FDA to expedite necessary applications. It also mandates two congressional reports on xylazine's illicit use and trafficking patterns, and directs the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for offenses involving xylazine.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new passenger vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. to include AM radio as standard equipment (not an optional add-on) by 2027-2028, depending on manufacturer size. It mandates that AM radio receivers must be easily accessible to drivers and allows compliance through digital AM broadcast technology. During a transition period, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio but cannot charge extra for this feature. The bill also mandates a GAO study on AM radio's role in emergency alerts and includes a 10-year sunset provision for the rule. It preempts state laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 216 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate the exception in the Thirteenth Amendment that currently permits slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. The resolution would amend the Constitution to explicitly state that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed on anyone as a penalty for criminal conduct. This change would directly affect incarcerated individuals by prohibiting forced labor practices within the criminal justice system, while clarifying that voluntary work programs and community service alternatives remain permissible.