United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 5 (112th)
Protecting Access to Healthcare Act
Introduced
24 January 2011
Last action
16 April 2012 · Calendars
Status
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 353.
Sponsors
Rep. Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11], David Scott, LAMAR SMITH, Pete Sessions, Rep. Rogers, Mike J. [R-MI-8], Marsha Blackburn, Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19], Charles Dent, David Roe, Rep. Fleming, John [R-LA-4], Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9], KEVIN BRADY, Trent Franks, Tom Price, Rob Bishop, Eric Crawford, Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-6], Larry Bucshon, Doug Lamborn, Joe Wilson, Rep. Herger, Wally [R-CA-2], Bill Flores, Kenny Marchant, Stevan Pearce, Tom McClintock, Andy Harris, Rep. Huelskamp, Tim [R-KS-1], Gregg Harper, Rep. Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50], ED ROYCE, Rep. Grimm, Michael G. [R-NY-11], JOHN SHIMKUS, Sam Graves, Rep. Biggert, Judy [R-IL-13], Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6], Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV], Rep. Garrett, Scott [R-NJ-5], Rep. Westmoreland, Lynn A. [R-GA-3], Bill Johnson, Michael Simpson, Rep. Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2], Harold Rogers, GREG WALDEN, Dennis Ross, Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10], Rep. Quayle, Benjamin [R-AZ-3], K. Conaway, Bob Gibbs
Subjects
Healthcare
Source updated
5 December 2025
Summary
Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011 - Sets conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding 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. 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. 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. Denies punitive damages in the case of products approved, cleared, or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or otherwise considered in compliance with FDA standards. Provides for periodic payments of future damages.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
24 January 2011
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
24 January 2011
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
24 January 2011
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
9 February 2011
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
16 February 2011
Vote
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 15.
Source: Committee
16 February 2011
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
17 March 2011
Introduced
House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 13, 2011.
Source: IntroReferral
17 March 2011
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-39, Part I.
Source: Committee
17 March 2011
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-39, Part I.
Source: Committee
10 May 2011
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
11 May 2011
Vote
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 20.
Source: Committee
11 May 2011
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
13 May 2011
Introduced
House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 23, 2011.
Source: IntroReferral
23 May 2011
Calendars
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 47.
Source: Calendars
23 May 2011
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 112-39, Part II.
Source: Committee
23 May 2011
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 112-39, Part II.
Source: Committee
16 March 2012
Committee
Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Judiciary, H. Rept. 112-39, Part III.
Source: Committee
16 March 2012
Committee
Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Judiciary, H. Rept. 112-39, Part III.
Source: Committee
20 March 2012
Reported
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 591 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5 with 6 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112-18 shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as original text for the purpose of amendment. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended.
Source: Floor
21 March 2012
Floor
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5 as unfinished business.
Source: Floor
21 March 2012
Passed
On motion to rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Source: Floor
21 March 2012
Floor
Mr. Smith (TX) moved that the Committee rise.
Source: Floor
21 March 2012
Floor
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5 with 6 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112-18 shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as original text for the purpose of amendment. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended.
Source: Floor
21 March 2012
Floor
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 591 and Rule XVIII.
Source: Floor
21 March 2012
Floor
The Speaker designated the Honorable Lynn A. Westmoreland to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Source: Floor
21 March 2012
Floor
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 591. (consideration: CR H1453-1490)
Source: Floor
21 March 2012
Passed
Rule H. Res. 591 passed House.
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Calendars
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Source: Calendars
22 March 2012
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Vote
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 223 - 181, 4 Present (Roll no. 126).
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 223 - 181, 4 Present (Roll no. 126).
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Vote
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 180 - 229, 2 Present (Roll no. 125). (consideration: CR H1518)
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Floor
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H1517)
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Floor
Mr. Loebsack moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce. (consideration: CR H1516-1518; text: CR H1516)
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Passed
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1501-1503)
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Floor
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H1515)
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Floor
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5.
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Floor
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 591, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Woodall amendment.
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Floor
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Source: Floor
22 March 2012
Floor
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1501-1519)
Source: Floor
26 March 2012
Calendars
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 338.
Source: Calendars
27 March 2012
Floor
Senate returned papers to House by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Floor
28 March 2012
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
29 March 2012
Calendars
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Source: Calendars
16 April 2012
Calendars
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 353.
Source: Calendars
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Placed on Calendar Senate · 16 April 2012 · Official file
- Received in Senate · 29 March 2012 · Official file
- Returned to the House by Unanimous Consent · 27 March 2012 · Official file
- Placed on Calendar Senate · 26 March 2012 · Official file
- Engrossed in House · 22 March 2012 · Official file
- Reported in House · 23 May 2011 · Official file
- Introduced in House · 24 January 2011 · Official file
Documents
18 official files
Placed on Calendar Senate (text)
Placed on Calendar Senate (text)
Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 16 April 2012
Placed on Calendar Senate (PDF)
Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 16 April 2012
Received in Senate (text)
Received in Senate · EN · 29 March 2012
Received in Senate (PDF)
Received in Senate · EN · 29 March 2012
Returned to the House by Unanimous Consent (text)
Returned to the House by Unanimous Consent · EN · 27 March 2012
Returned to the House by Unanimous Consent (PDF)
Returned to the House by Unanimous Consent · EN · 27 March 2012
Placed on Calendar Senate (text)
Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 26 March 2012
Placed on Calendar Senate (PDF)
Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 26 March 2012
Engrossed in House (text)
Engrossed in House · EN · 22 March 2012
Engrossed in House (PDF)
Engrossed in House · EN · 22 March 2012
Passed House amended
summary · EN · 22 March 2012
Reported in House (text)
Reported in House · EN · 23 May 2011
Reported in House (PDF)
Reported in House · EN · 23 May 2011
Reported to House amended, Part II
summary · EN · 23 May 2011
Reported to House amended, Part I
summary · EN · 17 March 2011
Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 24 January 2011
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 24 January 2011
Introduced in House
summary · EN · 24 January 2011
Sponsors
- Rep. Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11] · R · Sponsor
- David Scott · D · Sponsor
- LAMAR SMITH · R · Sponsor
- Pete Sessions · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Rogers, Mike J. [R-MI-8] · R · Cosponsor
- Marsha Blackburn · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19] · R · Cosponsor
- Charles Dent · R · Cosponsor
- David Roe · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Fleming, John [R-LA-4] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9] · R · Cosponsor
- KEVIN BRADY · R · Cosponsor
- Trent Franks · R · Cosponsor
- Tom Price · R · Cosponsor
- Rob Bishop · R · Cosponsor
- Eric Crawford · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-6] · R · Cosponsor
- Larry Bucshon · R · Cosponsor
- Doug Lamborn · R · Cosponsor
- Joe Wilson · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Herger, Wally [R-CA-2] · R · Cosponsor
- Bill Flores · R · Cosponsor
- Kenny Marchant · R · Cosponsor
- Stevan Pearce · R · Cosponsor
- Tom McClintock · R · Cosponsor
- Andy Harris · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Huelskamp, Tim [R-KS-1] · R · Cosponsor
- Gregg Harper · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50] · R · Cosponsor
- ED ROYCE · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Grimm, Michael G. [R-NY-11] · R · Cosponsor
- JOHN SHIMKUS · R · Cosponsor
- Sam Graves · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Biggert, Judy [R-IL-13] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Garrett, Scott [R-NJ-5] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Westmoreland, Lynn A. [R-GA-3] · R · Cosponsor
- Bill Johnson · R · Cosponsor
- Michael Simpson · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2] · R · Cosponsor
- Harold Rogers · R · Cosponsor
- GREG WALDEN · R · Cosponsor
- Dennis Ross · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Quayle, Benjamin [R-AZ-3] · R · Cosponsor
- K. Conaway · R · Cosponsor
- Bob Gibbs · R · Cosponsor
Showing 48 of 137 sponsors and actors.
Related records
- related to → Requesting return of official papers on H.R. 5.
- 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 ← Patient Centered Healthcare Savings Act of 2011
- related to ← Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012
- related to ← Sequestration Prevention Act of 2012
- related to ← Job Creation Act of 2011
- related to ← Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011
- related to ← Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011
- related to ← Sequestration Prevention Act of 2012
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/112/hr/5
- us · 112-hr-5 · source updated 5 December 2025