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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 4600 (107th)

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Health Care (HEALTH) Act of 2002

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

25 April 2002

Last action

26 September 2002 · Passed

Status

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

Rep. Greenwood, James C. [R-PA-8], Rep. Cox, Christopher [R-CA-48], Rep. Murtha, John P. [D-PA-12], Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA], Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8], Rep. Peterson, Collin C. [D-MN-7], Rep. Stenholm, Charles W. [D-TX-17], Rep. Lucas, Ken [D-KY-4], Rep. Pickering, Charles W. "Chip" [R-MS-3], Rep. Weldon, Dave [R-FL-15], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16], Rep. Wamp, Zach [R-TN-3], Rep. Fletcher, Ernie [R-KY-6], Rep. Holden, Tim [D-PA-17], Rep. Barton, Joe [R-TX-6], Rep. Ganske, Greg [R-IA-4], Rep. Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1], Rep. Gekas, George W. [R-PA-17], Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL], Sen. Sununu, John E. [R-NH], Rep. Hobson, David L. [R-OH-7], Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC], Rep. McHugh, John M. [R-NY-23], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Rep. Biggert, Judy [R-IL-13], Rep. Roukema, Marge [R-NJ-5], Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6], Rep. Rogers, Mike J. [R-MI-8], Rep. Shaw, E. Clay, Jr. [R-FL-22], Rep. Schaffer, Bob [R-CO-4], Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6], Rep. Crane, Philip M. [R-IL-8], Rep. LaTourette, Steven C. [R-OH-14], Rep. Hayworth, J. D. [R-AZ-5], Rep. Shays, Christopher [R-CT-4], Rep. Stump, Bob [R-AZ-3], Rep. Otter, C. L. (Butch) [R-ID-1], Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19], Rep. Crenshaw, Ander [R-FL-4], Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2], Rep. Simmons, Rob [R-CT-2], Rep. Hayes, Robin [R-NC-8], Rep. Cannon, Chris [R-UT-3], Rep. Barr, Bob [R-GA-7], Rep. Everett, Terry [R-AL-2], Rep. Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [R-CA-50]

Subjects

Healthcare

Source updated

10 August 2026

Healthcare

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Health Care (HEALTH) Act of 2002 - Makes changes to the health care liability system, including compensation for injured patients and other issues arising out of health care law suits. Requires a suit to be brought within three years of the date of injury or one year after the claimant discovers or should have discovered the injury, whichever occurs first. Sets forth requirements and permissible recovery amounts for compensating patient injury, including: (1) the full amount of economic loss without limitation; (2) noneconomic damages as specified; and (3) a fair share rule. Requires the court to supervise payment-of-damage arrangements, limiting contingency fees. Permits the introduction of evidence of collateral source benefits. Limits the availability of punitive damages, requiring clear and convincing evidence of malicious intent to injure or a deliberate failure to avoid substantially certain, unnecessary injury. Prohibits their award for products that comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, absent material and knowing misrepresentation by those submitting required approval or clearance information to the FDA. Authorizes periodic payment of future damages to claimants. Excludes suits for vaccine-related death or injury from the requirements of this Act if otherwise covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Preempts State law unless such law imposes greater protections for health care providers and organizations from liability, loss, or damages. .

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

Timeline

  1. 25 April 2002

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 25 April 2002

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 25 April 2002

    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

  4. 25 April 2002

    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

  5. 6 May 2002

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

    Source: Committee

  6. 23 July 2002

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 10 September 2002

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  8. 10 September 2002

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 18 September 2002

    Vote

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 22.

    Source: Committee

  10. 18 September 2002

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  11. 25 September 2002

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 553 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4600 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on the Judiciary and on Energy and Commerce now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.

    Source: Floor

  12. 25 September 2002

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 431.

    Source: Calendars

  13. 25 September 2002

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 107-693, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  14. 25 September 2002

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 107-693, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  15. 26 September 2002

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered on the bill as amended pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  16. 26 September 2002

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 193 - 225 (Roll no. 420). (text: CR H6741)

    Source: Floor

  17. 26 September 2002

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

  18. 26 September 2002

    Floor

    Mr. Conyers moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary and Energy and Commerce.

    Source: Floor

  19. 26 September 2002

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  20. 26 September 2002

    Passed

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

    Source: Floor

  21. 26 September 2002

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 203 (Roll no. 421).

    Source: Floor

  22. 26 September 2002

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 203 (Roll no. 421).

    Source: Floor

  23. 26 September 2002

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4600 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on the Judiciary and on Energy and Commerce now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.

    Source: Floor

  24. 26 September 2002

    Reported

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 553. (consideration: CR H6720-6743; text of measure as reported in House: CR H6720-6725)

    Source: Floor

  25. 26 September 2002

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 553 passed House.

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 26 September 2002

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 26 September 2002

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 26 September 2002

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 26 September 2002

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 25 September 2002

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 25 September 2002

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  • Reported to House amended, Part II

    summary · EN · 25 September 2002

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  • Reported to House amended, Part I

    summary · EN · 25 September 2002

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 25 April 2002

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 25 April 2002

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 25 April 2002

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Sponsors

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