Bipartisan Patient Protection Act

Summary

Bipartisan Patient Protection Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) with respect to health care coverage. Provides for patient protection and quality care standards for individual and group health plans under PHSA and ERISA. Applies such standards, as well, to: (1) all Federal health care programs, as defined under the Social Security Act; and (2) the Federal employee health benefits program. Requires group health plans and health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage to have approved utilization review programs, claims procedures, and appeal procedures concerning claims denials. Sets forth provisions concerning group health plans and health insurers and the provision of certain advice and care, including: (1) emergency care; (2) obstetric and gynecological care; (3) specialists care; (4) prescription drugs; (5) participation in approved clinical trials; and (6) health plan information. Restricts interference by health plans and insurers with the doctor-patient relationship. Prohibits health plans and insurers from discriminating against a licensed health care professional with respect to participation or indemnification. Sets forth limitations on certain class action litigation and other actions. Makes certain civil remedies available. Declares that courts should consider the loss of a nonwage earning spouse or parent as an economic loss to be fully compensated in certain ERISA cases. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) men and women battling life-threatening, deadly diseases, including advanced breast or ovarian cancer, should have the opportunity to participate in a federally approved or funded clinical trial; (2) a child battling a rare cancer should be allowed to go to a cancer center capable of providing high quality care for that disease; and (3) every patient who is denied care by a health maintenance organization or other health insurance company should have a fair, speedy, and impartial appeal to a review organization that has not been selected by the health plan.

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Timeline

1. 24 November 2003

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 24 November 2003

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 24 November 2003 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 24 November 2003

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 24 November 2003

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 24 November 2003

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Edwards, John [D-NC] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Graham, Bob [D-FL] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Corzine, Jon S. [D-NJ] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA-6] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] · D · Cosponsor
• Maria Cantwell · D · Cosponsor
• · sshr00 · Standing

Related records

• related to ← Bipartisan Patient Protection Act of 2004