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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 1415 (105th)

Patient Access to Responsible Care Act of 1997

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

23 April 1997

Last action

14 October 1998 · Introduced

Status

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H10893)

Sponsors

Rep. Norwood, Charles W. [R-GA-9], Rep. Bachus, Spencer [R-AL-6], Rep. Baker, Richard H. [R-LA-6], Rep. Barcia, James A. [D-MI-5], Rep. Barr, Bob [R-GA-7], Rep. Barrett, Thomas M. [D-WI-5], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH], Rep. Canady, Charles T. [R-FL-12], Sen. Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA], Rep. Coble, Howard [R-NC-6], Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK], Rep. Combest, Larry [R-TX-19], Rep. Cooksey, John [R-LA-5], Rep. Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr. [D-AL-5], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Davis, Tom [R-VA-11], Rep. Deal, Nathan [R-GA-9], Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4], Rep. Dickey, Jay [R-AR-4], Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2], Rep. Filner, Bob [D-CA-51], Rep. Foley, Mark [R-FL-16], Rep. Fox, Jon D. [R-PA-13], Rep. Frost, Martin [D-TX-24], Rep. Gilman, Benjamin A. [R-NY-20], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Rep. Hall, Tony P. [D-OH-3], Rep. Hilleary, Van [R-TN-4], Rep. Hilliard, Earl F. [D-AL-7], Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22], Rep. Jenkins, William L. [R-TN-1], Rep. Kelly, Sue W. [R-NY-19], Rep. Kennedy, Patrick J. [D-RI-1], Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3], Rep. LaHood, Ray [R-IL-18], Rep. Lewis, Ron [R-KY-2], Rep. Linder, John [R-GA-7], Rep. Livingston, Bob [R-LA-1], Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12], Rep. McHale, Paul [D-PA-15], Rep. McHugh, John M. [R-NY-23], Rep. Morella, Constance A. [R-MD-8], Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9], Rep. Nethercutt, George R., Jr. [R-WA-5], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Pickering, Charles W. "Chip" [R-MS-3], Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-15]

Subjects

Healthcare

Source updated

3 June 2026

Healthcare

Summary

Patient Access to Responsible Care Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require a health insurance issuer to: (1) assure that covered items and services are available and accessible to each enrollee; (2) assure the availability and accessibility of emergency services and urgent care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; (3) not require prior authorization for emergency services; and (4) cover emergency and urgent (and related ancillary) services. Requires an issuer offering network coverage to show that enrollees have access to specialized treatment. Regulates network incentive plans. Requires an issuer to: (1) permit each network enrollee to select a personal health professional from participating professionals; (2) cover nonparticipating providers, regulating premiums and cost sharing; (3) avoid undue enrollee burden from care coordination and cost control processes; (4) ensure direct specialist access; (5) provide for continuity of care for those with special needs or a chronic condition; and (6) provide for continued coverage in certain circumstances. Prohibits issuer discrimination on the basis of specified factors against individuals or providers. Prohibits any issuer-professional agreement from restricting the professional from engaging in medical communications with the professional's patient. Sets forth requirements regarding utilization review, an appeals process, and the process by which health professionals and providers become participants. Requires issuers to: (1) disclose certain information to enrollees and prospective enrollees; (2) comply with Federal and State confidentiality laws; (3) meet State solvency-related requirements; and (4) establish a quality improvement program. Requires issuers to comply with this Act regarding group and individual coverage. Declares that the requirements of this Act do not preempt any State law providing equivalent or stricter protections for individuals. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan and an issuer offering coverage under such a plan to comply with the requirements of this Act. Declares that this Act does not preempt any State: (1) law providing equivalent or stricter protections for individuals; or (2) cause of action for personal injury or wrongful death damages that provides insurance or administrative services to or for an employee welfare benefit plan maintained to provide health benefits.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 23 April 1997

    Introduced

    Referred to House Commerce

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 23 April 1997

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 23 April 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 23 April 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 2 May 1997

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

    Source: Committee

  6. 9 May 1997

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.

    Source: Committee

  7. 23 October 1997

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  8. 28 October 1997

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 14 October 1998

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H10893)

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 23 April 1997

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 23 April 1997

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 23 April 1997

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 243 sponsors and actors.

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Sources

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