Rep. André Carson

Maddy summaryHR 5281, the REAL Health Providers Act, requires Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to maintain accurate, publicly accessible provider directories starting in 2028. It mandates that plans verify directory information every 90 days (or annually for hospitals), flag outdated entries, and remove providers no longer in-network within 5 business days. The bill also ensures Medicare beneficiaries are not charged extra for services from providers listed in directories but not actually in-network, covering the difference between in-network and out-of-network cost-sharing. MA plans must report annual accuracy scores to Medicare, which will be published online starting in 2029, with $4 million allocated for implementation. This directly affects MA organizations and beneficiaries by improving access to reliable provider information and reducing unexpected costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. President to identify Pakistani officials responsible for undermining democracy and human rights within 180 days of enactment, then impose Global Magnitsky sanctions on them. It targets senior government, military, or security officials found to have committed gross human rights violations or interfered with democratic processes, such as during Pakistan’s 2024 elections or through constitutional changes. Sanctions would include asset freezes and travel bans, with exceptions for humanitarian aid, UN obligations, and national security activities. The bill expires on September 30, 2030, and aims to pressure Pakistan to uphold democratic norms, human rights, and judicial independence.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of September 8-12, 2025, as "Malnutrition Awareness Week" to highlight the issue of malnutrition in the United States. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public awareness about malnutrition's impact on vulnerable groups, including older adults, children in food-insecure households, and communities of color disproportionately affected by food insecurity. The resolution acknowledges existing programs like the Older Americans Act and Medicare nutrition services while emphasizing the need for improved access to nutrition care and prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2025 expands a federal program to help schools purchase domestically grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables directly from farmers. It increases the number of participating states from 8 to 14 and requires states to demonstrate support for small/local farmers, Tribal producers, and socially disadvantaged communities. The bill allocates $25 million annually (2026-2030) for the program, including $10 million yearly for administrative costs and technical assistance to help schools and farmers participate. States must also report on program challenges and outcomes, with the USDA required to evaluate impacts like cost, agricultural benefits, and barriers to participation within four years.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to extend eligibility to school support staff, including paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and clerical staff. It allows these employees to qualify for FMLA leave if they work 60% of their expected monthly hours (instead of the standard 1,250 hours), based on their school’s assigned schedule. Employers must maintain records of expected hours for each staff member. The change directly benefits part-time and seasonal education support staff who previously faced barriers to FMLA coverage.

Maddy summaryThe Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update regulations within two years to encourage pilots and air traffic controllers to seek mental health care and disclose conditions without fear of losing medical clearance. It mandates annual reviews to improve the medical clearance process for mental health conditions - such as approving additional safe medications, enhancing examiner training, and reducing backlogs - and allocates $13.74 million yearly (2026-2029) to hire more aviation medical examiners. The bill also directs the FAA to implement recommendations from a mental health rulemaking committee and fund a public campaign to reduce stigma around mental health care in aviation. These provisions aim to support aviation workers' well-being while streamlining safety-related medical evaluations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 680) recognizes suicide as a serious public health issue and designates September 8, 2025, as "988 Day" to highlight the national three-digit crisis hotline (988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports existing efforts to raise awareness about the 988 hotline, which connects people in mental health crisis to 24/7 support services. The resolution emphasizes the hotline's role in suicide prevention, citing data showing it handled nearly 18 million contacts since 2022 and was reported as helpful by 98% of users. It urges continued public education about the hotline, particularly for high-risk groups like LGBTQI+ youth, and encourages broader access to mental health services.

Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act This bill allows state Medicaid programs to establish health homes to provide coordinated care for individuals with sickle-cell disease. (Under current law, state Medicaid programs may establish health homes to provide coordinated care for individuals with specified chronic conditions.) States must ensure that such care includes dental and vision services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must issue best practices for states on how to design and implement such health homes.

Maddy summaryThe Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 would expand unemployment insurance eligibility to workers unable to work due to labor disputes, including strikes or lockouts. It sets a 14-day waiting period (or earlier if replacements are hired, a lockout starts, or the dispute ends) before benefits begin, treating these workers as "unemployed" under federal law. The bill also removes the standard requirement for these workers to actively seek other employment to qualify for benefits. This directly affects workers involved in labor disputes, such as those on strike or unable to work due to employer lockouts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 677) is a formal statement by the House of Representatives affirming the Federal Reserve's independence from political influence. It specifically supports Chairman Jerome Powell and the Board of Governors in making monetary policy decisions based on economic data, not political pressure. The resolution urges the President and executive branch to respect the Fed's statutory independence and avoid actions or rhetoric that could undermine its credibility. It emphasizes that maintaining this independence is critical for economic stability, price control, and global confidence in U.S. financial markets.