United States · Bill · S
S. 449 (105th)
Patient Right to Know Act
Introduced
17 March 1997
Last action
—
Status
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held.
Sponsors
—
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
21 August 2025
Summary
Patient Right to Know Act - Prohibits any contract or agreement, or the operation of any contract or agreement, between an entity operating a health plan (including any partnership, association, or other organization that enters into or administers such a contract or agreement) and a health care provider (or group of health care providers) from prohibiting or restricting the provider from engaging in medical communications with his or her patient. Requires that each State shall enforce this Act with respect to health insurance issuers that sell, renew, or offer health plans in the State. Provides for enforcement of this Act by the Secretary of Health and Human Services if the Secretary, after consultation with the chief executive officer of a State and the insurance commissioner or chief insurance regulatory official of the State, determines that the State has failed to substantially enforce the requirements. Mandates a civil money penalty. Allows State requirements equal to or more protective of medical communications than the requirements of this Act. Defines "medical communication" as being a communication between a provider and a patient (or the patient's guardian or legal representative) regarding the patient's health status, medical care, or legal treatment options.
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Timeline
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Votes
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Versions
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Documents
3 official files
Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 17 March 1997
Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 17 March 1997
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 17 March 1997
Sponsors
No sponsors or actors listed by the source.
Related records
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Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/449
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/105/s/449