Rep. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM-1]

H.R. 4509 - NOPAIN for Veterans Act Submitted written statement for the record to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Health (January 13, 2026). Advocated for legislation ensuring VA providers can access a full range of individualized, evidence-based post-surgical pain management options, including non-opioid therapies, without overly restrictive one-size-fits-all barriers. Argued that clinical judgment must guide acute pain care for veterans recovering from surgery or serious procedures. Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 / S. 1032) - Concurrent Receipt for Combat-Injured Retirees Advocated for elimination of the dollar-for-dollar offset that reduces retirement pay for approximately 52,000 combat-injured veterans medically retired before completing 20 years of service. Communicated that this 'wounded veteran tax' breaks faith with those who sacrificed most and that concurrent receipt of earned retirement pay and VA disability compensation should be permitted. Veterans Mental Health & Suicide Prevention - VA Staffing, Telehealth, In-Person Care Advocated for a comprehensive strategy to address veteran suicide (averaging 17.6 deaths per day). Communicated support for increased VA mental health staffing, expanded telehealth services to reach rural and underserved veterans, and preservation of in-person mental health care. Emphasized that telehealth must complement, not replace, VA mental health professionals. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) - VA Pilot Program for PTSD/TBI Advocated for VA implementation of pilot programs to evaluate Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a covered treatment for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries, citing studies indicating HBOT can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms and improve cognitive function. Urged Congress to direct the VA to expand access to evidence-based alternative treatments. Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act Advocated for legislation ensuring all service days count toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members who serve alongside active-duty counterparts. Communicated that existing education benefit disparities are inequitable given equivalent operational contributions. Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act Advocated for legislation ensuring veterans who lose education benefits due to school closures or fraud have those benefits restored. Communicated that veterans should not suffer financial losses due to circumstances beyond their control. Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act Advocated for comprehensive reforms to support family caregivers of veterans, including provisions addressing financial security, career reemployment, and retirement benefits for individuals who sacrifice their own professional advancement to provide uncompensated daily care. Communicated that caregivers are the backbone of the veterans' care system and must not be left behind when caregiving roles end. Survivor Benefits - DIC Modernization (Remarriage Restriction Repeal / Rate Modernization) Advocated for elimination of the DIC remarriage age restriction and modernization of DIC rates to reflect the true cost of sacrifice. Communicated that surviving spouses should not be forced to choose between financial security and honoring their loved one's wishes, and that current restrictions impose unnecessary financial penalties on Gold Star families. Protecting Veterans' Disability and Retirement Pay from Budget Reductions Advocated against any legislative or executive action to reduce veterans' disability compensation or retirement pay to balance the federal budget. Communicated alignment with VA Secretary Doug Collins's stated opposition to cutting earned veterans' benefits, and emphasized that reducing these benefits undermines national trust and deters future enlistment. Written Informed Consent for Black Box Medications (VA Policy) Advocated for VA policy requiring written informed consent before prescribing psychiatric medications with black box warnings. Communicated that veterans deserve transparency, patient autonomy, and the ability to make fully informed decisions regarding high-risk medications. Protecting the VA as an Institution - Structural and Operational Integrity Advocated for preservation of VA capacity, organizational structure, and services for enrolled veterans. Communicated concerns about any restructuring or resource reductions that would diminish the VA's ability to deliver timely, high-quality care and benefits to the veteran community.

Issues related to rare pediatric disease Priority Review Vouchers; H.R. 1262/S. 932, Give Kids a Chance Act; S. 3302, Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025.

Health policy related to kidney, renal, and dialysis care. Including, Medicare reimbursement, coverage, and policies pursuant to the Medicare End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS); bundling of certain oral-only drugs to the ESRD PPS; support for innovative therapies for patients living with kidney disease. KCC supports the Kidney Care Access Protection Act (HR 6214, S 2730) which addresses some of these issues. Medicare Secondary Payer issues to protect patient choice of coverage for individuals with ESRD, including support for the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act (HR 2199, S.1173.). Introduction to Kidney Care Council as an organization, our member companies, and the patients they serve.

Issues related to railroad industry; Shortline Railroad Tax Credit Bill (HR 516 / S 1532)(Support)

H.R. 979, AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 S. 315, AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 H.Con.Res.12, Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act S.Con.Res.8, A concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act Issues around media ownership Issues around the next generation of broadcast television

H.R.2853/S. 1404 - Combating Organized Retail Crime Act Draft legislation to support crime reduction FY27 appropriations for Byrne/JAG grants

Independent contracting in trucking H.R. 20/S. 852 (Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act)

H.R. 1659 (Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act) H.R. 880/S. 337 (Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act) H.R. 2819/S. 1696 (Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act) H.R. 2853/S. 1404 (Combating Organized Retail Crime Act) freight fraud provisions Highway Trust Fund fuel tax, vehicle miles traveled Rescinding FMCSAs speed limiter mandate on all heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles (FMCSA-2022-0004-0001) Rescinding FMCSAs automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems mandate Automatic Emergency Braking Test Devices: Heavy Vehicle Automatic Emergency Braking (Docket No. FMCSA-2022-0171) Mitigation of Final Rule, Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs: Addition of Oral Fluid Specimen Testing for Drugs (Docket No. DOT-OST-2021-0093-0420) provisions related to specimen collectors USDOT Office of Inspector General freight fraud enforcement, National Consumer Complaint Database (OMB Control Number: 2126-0067) reforms USDOT advisory committees proportion of representatives from small motor carriers Commercial motor carrier regulatory policy issues, including Compliance Safety Accountability program/DataQ Waiver for noncompliant states with National Registry II Implementation with moving from paper to electronic medical certificates Eligibility standards for nondomiciled commercial learners permits and commercial drivers licenses Provisions of H.R. 7148 (Transportation-HUD FY2026 appropriations) related to English-language proficiency standards of commercial truck drivers; priority infrastructure needs, including truck parking project funding; establishing a nationwide dashboard for shippers and carriers to track real-time supply chain movements; cuts or redirecting Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act funds Nondomiciled holders of Commercial Drivers Licenses, recertification of certain CDL holders Efforts to remove chameleon motor carriers from highways and ensure only legitimate training entities operate commercial drivers license programs H.R. 7539 (Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement Act) H.R. 5688 (Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act/Dalilahs Law) S. 3950 (SAFER Transport Act)

Research into spinal muscular atrophy, timely access to care, treatments, medical devices, and home and community-based services, Give Kids a Chance Act (H.R.1261/ S.932- FDA Pediatric Priority Review Voucher Program), DOD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program & Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program, Labor-Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, Family Caregiver Awareness, Resources, and Education (CARE) Partnerships Act, Pediatric Palliative Care Homes, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research funding, Seat Elevation in Group 2 Non-Complex Power Wheelchairs, Coverage of Standing Systems in Group 3 Power Wheelchair, Competitive Bidding for Tracheostomy, Ostomy and Urological Supplies; FDA Rare Disease Patient Listening Session, Coverage of Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs) and Home Mechanical Ventilators (HMVs), Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act (H.R. 1509/S. 752, National Institutes of Health funding; Medicaid home and community-based services, Public Law 119-21 Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements - disability and medically frail definition; Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (H.R. 5343), Veterans STAND Act (H.R. 6835), Veterans SPORTS Act (S. 3138) Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (P.L. 119-75)

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill; IDEA Full Funding Act (H.R.2598/ S.1277), IDEA enforcement and oversight, Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services staffing and enforcement