Introducing Legislation to Crack Down on Medicare Home Health Fraud and Protect Seniors

This week, I introduced the Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act, the House companion to legislation introduced by Senator Susan Collins, to crack down on Medicare fraud, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure legitimate home health providers receive fair reimbursement. The bill strengthens oversight of high-risk agencies, helps prevent fraudulent payments, and addresses suspicious billing practices that can hurt honest providers. Last November, I called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to investigate suspicious billing patterns in Los Angeles County, which accounted for nearly 10 percent of nationwide Medicare home health spending in 2024 despite representing only 2 percent of traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Meanwhile, Medicare home health utilization in NY-24 declined by 39 percent between 2018 and 2024. This legislation builds on my efforts to combat fraud, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure seniors can continue receiving quality care in their own homes.

Introducing Resolution to Protect Christopher Columbus Monuments on Columbus Day

On Columbus Day, I introduced a resolution supporting the preservation of monuments honoring Christopher Columbus, including the historic Columbus Monument in Syracuse. Dedicated in 1934, the Syracuse monument was funded by hardworking Italian immigrants who overcame discrimination and made lasting contributions to our communities. These monuments represent an important part of our shared history and the generations of Italian Americans who helped shape our state and nation. Preserving them does not mean ignoring the complexities of the past, but ensuring future generations have the opportunity to understand and learn from it. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we should preserve the history and traditions that have helped shape our great nation.

Introducing the Bipartisan IRAN Act to Expand Internet Freedom for the Iranian People

The Iranian regime relies on censorship, surveillance, and internet shutdowns to silence its people and prevent the world from seeing its human rights abuses. I introduced the bipartisan Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act alongside Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari and 13 additional cosponsors to help the Iranian people overcome these restrictions and communicate freely with the outside world. The legislation strengthens America's efforts to expand access to secure internet technologies, support journalists and human rights defenders, and improve coordination across federal agencies to counter the regime's digital censorship. No government should be able to silence its citizens simply for seeking information or speaking out, and the United States must stand with the Iranian people in their pursuit of basic freedoms.

As your representative in Congress, my top priority is championing legislative initiatives that benefit you and your families. Each week, I review numerous bills and letters, engaging in thorough discussions with members of our community to determine which actions to support and address your needs. Below are a few bills I recently cosponsored.

H.R. 7300, the Make Elections Great Again Act: This comprehensive bill requires voters in national elections to present photo voter ID and citizenship verification. It also prevents ballot harvesting, mandates paper ballots, outlaws ranked-choice voting, restricts ballots received after Election Day, and requires states to maintain accurate voter registration lists by removing ineligible voters. Restoring faith in the electoral system requires comprehensive reforms that enhance security, transparency, and accountability, and this bill helps to ensure public confidence in our elections and safeguards against malign influence.

H.R. 9387, the Recognizing Engineered Alternatives as Lab-Created Butter (REAL Butter) Act: This bill requires clear labeling of lab-created butter products so consumers can distinguish them from traditional dairy butter. The bill defines these artificial products separately from butter that meets the existing federal standard of identity, helping ensure consumers have accurate information about how the products they purchase are produced. American dairy farmers should not be forced to compete with laboratory-created products marketed in a manner that could confuse consumers about their origin. This legislation helps promote transparent food labeling, protects consumer choice, and preserves a clear distinction between traditional dairy products and lab-created alternatives.

H.R. 3164, the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act: This bill expands Medicare beneficiaries’ access to certain health care services provided by pharmacists by establishing Medicare Part B coverage for qualifying pharmacist services. Specifically, the bill establishes Medicare reimbursement for these services while preserving state requirements governing pharmacist supervision and collaboration with physicians or other practitioners. Local pharmacists are often among the most accessible health care professionals, particularly for seniors and patients in communities with limited access to other providers. This legislation helps expand access to timely testing and treatment, allows pharmacists to practice within their state-authorized scope, and improves access to essential health care services for Medicare beneficiaries.

Mercy Flight Central

Recently, I visited Mercy Flight Central to meet the dedicated flight crews, medical professionals, and staff who provide lifesaving emergency transportation throughout Upstate New York. Since its founding in 1992, Mercy Flight Central has transported more than 18,500 patients and now serves communities across more than 25 counties. I toured the facility, saw the aircraft and specialized medical equipment used to care for critically ill and injured patients, and spoke with the team about the challenges of maintaining around-the-clock emergency services. When a medical emergency strikes, every second counts, and I am grateful to the Mercy Flight Central team for their dedication to ensuring New Yorkers can get the critical care they need.

Cheshire Theater

This week, I visited the historic Cheshire Theatre and Meeting Hall to learn more about the community's efforts to restore this longtime gathering place. Originally built in 1898, the building hosted generations of performances, celebrations, civic meetings, and community events before falling largely out of use in the 1970s. The Cheshire Community Action Team is now working to bring it back to life with a restored performance hall, meeting spaces, accessible facilities, and areas for youth activities and local history. It was encouraging to see the dedication of local volunteers who are working to preserve this piece of Cheshire's history and create a welcoming space for future generations to enjoy.

Reading to Elementary Students for Head Start Awareness Month

As part of Head Start Awareness Month, I spent time with a classroom of three-year-olds at the Community Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca Head Start program in Auburn, where I had the chance to read books and meet some of our youngest learners. For more than 60 years, Head Start has helped children build a strong foundation for learning while connecting families with educational, health, and nutritional resources. The program serves hundreds of children and families throughout Cayuga County, helping prepare students for success in school and beyond. It was a joy to spend time with the children and see the enthusiasm of the educators who work every day to help them learn and grow.

Tri-County Government Affairs Roundtable

This week, I also attended the Tri-County Legislative Roundtable in Elmira, hosted by the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce, bringing together federal and state representatives to address issues affecting businesses and communities across the Southern Tier. Alongside State Senator Tom O'Mara, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, Assemblyman Chris Friend, and representatives from other elected offices, I shared my legislative priorities and spoke with local leaders about the challenges facing our region. These conversations are valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, raise concerns, and better understand how decisions made in Albany and Washington affect our communities. Thank you to the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce for organizing this event and bringing local voices to the table.

WNY Inter County meeting

I attended the Inter-County Association of Western New York meeting to speak with county legislators and local officials about the issues affecting communities across our region. The association represents 19 counties, including 11 in NY-24, and brings together local leaders to exchange ideas, discuss shared challenges, and strengthen cooperation across county lines. I appreciated speaking with officials about the concerns facing their communities, particularly the challenges rural counties face and how policies coming out of Albany and Washington affect local governments and taxpayers. These conversations provide valuable insight into the needs of our region and help ensure local perspectives are represented in Congress.

Graham Corp Tour

I recently toured Graham Corporation's facility in Batavia to learn more about the advanced manufacturing taking place right here in Genesee County. Alongside a representative from the National Association of Manufacturers, I met with company leadership and saw how Graham produces highly engineered equipment and components used in defense, energy, and other critical industries. We also discussed the opportunities and challenges facing American manufacturers and the importance of supporting a skilled domestic workforce. Graham is another great example of the innovation, technical expertise, and manufacturing capabilities that make Western New York an important part of America's industrial base.

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