Rep. Ann M. Kuster

Maddy summaryHR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, repeals two provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for certain government workers. It eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which cuts spousal or survivor benefits for people with pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security (like federal or state government roles), and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which lowers retirement benefits for those with similar pensions. The law takes effect for benefits paid after December 2023, requiring the Social Security Administration to adjust benefit calculations to remove these reductions. This change directly affects public-sector employees who previously had their Social Security benefits reduced due to their government pensions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 609 Portsmouth Avenue in Greenland, New Hampshire, as the "Chief Michael Maloney Post Office Building." It changes the official name of the building and updates all federal references (including laws, maps, and documents) to use this new name. The bill has no policy impact beyond renaming the facility and honors Chief Michael Maloney, likely a local postal employee or figure. It was enacted on January 4, 2025, after passing both chambers of Congress in December 2024.

Maddy summaryThe Think Differently Database Act (HR 670) requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create and maintain a public website within three years. The website will provide clear, accessible information about Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities - including specific state requirements, contact details for state Medicaid offices, and wait times for home-based services. It directly affects individuals with disabilities, their caregivers, and families seeking support through Medicaid programs. The site will standardize resource access across states, using existing Medicaid rules and modeling after the thinkdifferently.net website.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 4-year transitional coverage period for Medicare to automatically cover "breakthrough medical devices" - new FDA-prioritized devices approved after March 2021 - as "reasonable and necessary" for treatment. During this period, these devices qualify for additional payments under Medicare's hospital and outpatient payment systems without requiring separate approval. After the 4-year period, Medicare must develop regular coverage based on additional data, with automatic coverage for all approved uses if no action is taken within two years. The bill requires Medicare to assign unique codes for these devices within three months of FDA approval and to update payment systems regularly. It also includes special provisions for "specified breakthrough devices" that lack existing Medicare benefit categories, requiring reports on their impact and cost to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe Autism CARES Act of 2024 reauthorizes and enhances federal programs supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder. It requires the National Institutes of Health to expand research to include more fields like gerontology and psychiatry, and to ensure research reflects the full range of needs of people with autism, including those with co-occurring conditions. The bill mandates regular reports to Congress on progress, mental health needs, and transition services for young adults with autism, while increasing funding for autism-related programs from fiscal year 2025 through 2029. This legislation directly affects individuals with autism, their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers by improving access to evidence-based services and research.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Campus Hazing Act requires colleges and universities to publicly report hazing incidents involving student organizations. It defines hazing as intentional acts causing physical or psychological harm during initiation or membership in student groups, including activities like forced substance consumption, sleep deprivation, or sexual acts. Institutions must include hazing statistics in annual security reports and publish a "Campus Hazing Transparency Report" on their websites by July 1, 2025, detailing findings about organizations violating hazing policies. The reports must include organization names, violation descriptions, and key dates while excluding personally identifiable student information. This applies to all colleges participating in federal student aid programs.

Maddy summaryThe Save Our Sequoias Act establishes a coordinated approach to protect giant sequoia groves in California from wildfires, insects, and drought. It creates a Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition including federal agencies, state governments, and the Tule River Indian Tribe to assess grove health, develop protection projects, and recommend forest management activities. The bill streamlines implementation of certain projects through categorical exclusion from environmental reviews, authorizes $10-40 million annually for conservation efforts, and establishes a fund for philanthropic support of sequoia protection.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE for Survivors Act of 2024 provides comprehensive workplace protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It establishes a new entitlement to 40 work days of safe leave per year (with 10 days paid) for employees to address qualifying acts of violence, including time for counseling, safety planning, legal assistance, and medical care. The bill prohibits employers from discriminating against or retaliating against employees who take this leave, requires reasonable accommodations for survivors, and ensures unemployment compensation eligibility for those who separate from work due to violence. It also includes insurance protections preventing insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on a person's status as a survivor. This legislation directly affects employees, employers, and insurance providers across the United States.

Maddy summaryHR 9138, the ADAPT Act, expands Medicare coverage to include services provided by psychology trainees (doctoral interns or postdoctoral residents in APA-accredited programs) under the general supervision of a licensed psychologist. It requires the creation of a new billing code (GC modifier) for these services and directs the HHS Secretary to issue guidance to states on covering similar services through Medicaid and CHIP programs. The bill affects psychology trainees seeking licensure and healthcare systems billing Medicare/Medicaid, enabling reimbursement for supervised trainee services. Key provisions include defining "advanced psychology trainee," establishing billing protocols, and providing states with strategies to implement coverage. The changes take effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe PROVE IT Act of 2024 directs the U.S. Energy Secretary to study and publicly report on the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of key U.S. manufactured products (like steel, aluminum, lithium batteries, and critical minerals) compared to those produced in "covered countries" (including the EU, China, and major trading partners). It requires a transparent methodology for calculating emissions data, identifies gaps in existing data, and establishes a public online database showing U.S. emissions advantages for these products. The bill also mandates an annual report on foreign countries using forced labor or human rights abuses in the production of critical minerals or rare earths. Importantly, it clarifies the study does not create new taxes, fees, or mandatory reporting requirements.