Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2004

Summary

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2004 -Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims concerning the provision of health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions. Allows the recovery of unlimited economic damages. Limits noneconomic damages to $250,000. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility. Allows the court to restrict the payment of attorney contingency fees. Limits the fees to a percentage based on the amount awarded. Allows: (1) any party to a lawsuit involving injury or wrongful death to introduce evidence of collateral source benefits; and (2) any opposing party to then introduce evidence of any amount paid or contributed to secure the right to such benefits. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven that a person acted with malicious intent to injure the claimant or deliberately failed to avoid unnecessary injury the claimant was substantially certain to suffer; and (2) compensatory damages are awarded. Limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the amount of economic damages or $250,000. Limits the liability of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and providers of medical products that comply with Food and Drug Administration standards. Provides for periodic payments of future damage awards.

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

Timeline

1. 5 May 2004

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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

2. 5 May 2004

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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. 5 May 2004

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 5 May 2004

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 11 May 2004

   Reported

   Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 638 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4279, H.R. 4280 and H.R. 4281. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.

   Source: Floor

6. 12 May 2004

   Passed

   Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

   Source: Floor

7. 12 May 2004

   Vote

   On passage Passed by recorded vote: 229 - 197 (Roll no. 166). (text as passed House: CR H2853-2856)

   Source: Floor

8. 12 May 2004

   Vote

   Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 229 - 197 (Roll no. 166).(text as passed House: CR H2853-2856)

   Source: Floor

9. 12 May 2004

   Vote

   On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 193 - 231 (Roll no. 165).

   Source: Floor

10. 12 May 2004

    Floor

    Mr. Conyers moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary and Energy and Commerce. (consideration: CR H2869-2873; text: CR H2869-2872)

    Source: Floor

11. 12 May 2004

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4279, H.R. 4280 and H.R. 4281. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.

    Source: Floor

12. 12 May 2004

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 638. (consideration: CR H2853-2874)

    Source: Floor

13. 13 May 2004

    Floor

    Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 638, H.R. 4280 is laid on the table.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 5 May 2004 · Download file

Documents

4 official files

• Passed House without amendment

  summary · EN · 12 May 2004

  Open at official source

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  Vertaal document

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• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 5 May 2004

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 5 May 2004

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  Leesvertaling

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  Vertaal naarNL · DutchDE · GermanFR · FrenchES · SpanishIT · ItalianPL · PolishPT · PortugueseSV · SwedishDA · DanishFI · FinnishEL · GreekCS · CzechHU · HungarianRO · RomanianBG · BulgarianHR · CroatianSK · SlovakSL · SlovenianLT · LithuanianLV · LatvianET · EstonianGA · IrishMT · Maltese

  Vertaal document

  Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 5 May 2004

  Open at official source

  Leesvertaling

  Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

  Vertaal naarNL · DutchDE · GermanFR · FrenchES · SpanishIT · ItalianPL · PolishPT · PortugueseSV · SwedishDA · DanishFI · FinnishEL · GreekCS · CzechHU · HungarianRO · RomanianBG · BulgarianHR · CroatianSK · SlovakSL · SlovenianLT · LithuanianLV · LatvianET · EstonianGA · IrishMT · Maltese

  Vertaal document

  Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

• Rep. Greenwood, James C. [R-PA-8] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Cox, Christopher [R-CA-48] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Barton, Joe [R-TX-6] · R · Sponsor
• David Scott · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Shays, Christopher [R-CT-4] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Biggert, Judy [R-IL-13] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Miller, Candice S. [R-MI-10] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Crane, Philip M. [R-IL-8] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-5] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Shuster, Bill [R-PA-9] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. McInnis, Scott [R-CO-3] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Burns, Max [R-GA-12] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Murtha, John P. [D-PA-12] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Boehner, John A. [R-OH-8] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Keller, Ric [R-FL-8] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [R-VA-5] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Hayworth, J. D. [R-AZ-5] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Manzullo, Donald A. [R-IL-16] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19] · R · Cosponsor
• · hsif00 · Standing
• · hsju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4279) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the disposition of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements; for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4280) to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system; and for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4281) to amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with respect to medical care for their employees.
• related to → Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2003
• related to → To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the 10-percent individual income tax rate bracket.
• related to ← To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the disposition of unused health benefits in cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system, and to amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with respect to medical care for their employees.
• related to ← HEALTH Act of 2003