Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

21 July 2005

Last action

29 July 2005 · Introduced

Status

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

Summary

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005 -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. Provides that nothing in this Act limits recovery of the full amount of available 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 decreasing percentage based on the increasing value of the amount awarded. Prescribes qualifications for expert witnesses. Allows the introduction of collateral source benefits and the amount paid to secure such benefits as evidence. Prohibits a provider of such benefits from recovering any amount from an award in a health care lawsuit involving injury or wrongful death. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven by clear and convincing evidence 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 (FDA) standards. Provides for periodic payments of future damage awards.

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

Timeline

21 July 2005
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
21 July 2005
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
21 July 2005
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
21 July 2005
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
22 July 2005
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Source: Committee
26 July 2005
Reported
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 385 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. During consideration of H.R. 5, pursuant to this resolution, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Source: Floor
27 July 2005
Passed
Rule H. Res. 385 passed House.
Source: Floor
28 July 2005
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
28 July 2005
Vote
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 194, 2 Present (Roll no. 449). (text: CR H6974-6977)
Source: Floor
28 July 2005
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 194, 2 Present (Roll no. 449).(text: CR H6974-6977)
Source: Floor
28 July 2005
Vote
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 193 - 234, 1 Present (Roll no. 448).
Source: Floor
28 July 2005
Floor
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H7011)
Source: Floor
28 July 2005
Floor
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. During consideration of H.R. 5, pursuant to this resolution, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Source: Floor
28 July 2005
Floor
Mr. Conyers moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary and Energy and Commerce. (consideration: CR H7007-7012; text: CR H7007-7010)
Source: Floor
28 July 2005
Floor
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H7007)
Source: Floor
28 July 2005
Floor
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 385. (consideration: CR H6974-7013)
Source: Floor
29 July 2005
Introduced
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Referred in Senate · 29 July 2005 · Download file
Engrossed in House · 28 July 2005 · Download file
Introduced in House · 21 July 2005 · Download file

Documents

8 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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Referred in Senate (text)
Referred in Senate · EN · 29 July 2005
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Referred in Senate (PDF)
Referred in Senate · EN · 29 July 2005
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Engrossed in House (text)
Engrossed in House · EN · 28 July 2005
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Engrossed in House (PDF)
Engrossed in House · EN · 28 July 2005
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Passed House without amendment
summary · EN · 28 July 2005
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 21 July 2005
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Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 21 July 2005
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 21 July 2005
Open at official source
Leesvertaling
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Related records

related to → Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5) 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.
related to ← Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005
related to ← Medical Malpractice Reform Act of 2006
related to ← MCAP Act
amends ← SAMDT 971

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/5
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/109/hr/5
us · 109-hr-5 · source updated 10 August 2026