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HR 1084 104th Congress House Health Alternative dispute resolution Commerce Commercial arbitration Federal employees Finance and Financial Sector Government Operations and Politics Government employees' health insurance Health care reform Health insurance Insurance companies Insurance premiums Law Malpractice Medicare Right to die Social Welfare

Federal Employees Health Benefits Access Act

Introduced: February 28, 1995 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 14, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3094)
Mar 3, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Mar 2, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service.
Feb 28, 1995
Referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Feb 28, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2310)
Feb 28, 1995
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Employees Health Benefits Access Act - Prohibits a Government health services contract from being made or a plan approved unless the carrier agrees to offer to the general public the same benefits as would be offered under such contract or plan to Federal employees and annuitants and their family members. Requires premiums for coverage to be established in conformance with such requirements as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shall prescribe.

Specifies that in no event shall this Act's enactment result in any: (1) increase in the level of individual or Government contributions required, including copayments or deductibles; (2) decrease in the types of benefits offered; or (3) other change that would adversely affect the coverage afforded to employees and annuitants and their family members.

Permits a carrier to file an application with OPM setting forth reasons why it, or a plan provided by such carrier, should be excluded from the requirements of this Act. Allows OPM, in reviewing any such application, to consider such factors as: (1) any bona fide enrollment restrictions which would make the application of this Act inappropriate; (2) whether compliance would jeopardize the financial solvency of the plan or carrier or otherwise compromise its ability to offer health benefits; and (3) the anticipated duration of the requested exclusion and what efforts the plan or carrier proposes to take in order to be able to comply with this Act.

Requires a claim for payment or reimbursement to be submitted on a standard form or in a standard manner as may be required by OPM in relation to health benefit plans.

Directs OPM to: (1) prepare information relating to the use of advance directives regarding the type or intensity of care which an individual desires in the event that such individual becomes unable to communicate by reason of incapacity due to illness or injury; and (2) require, as a condition for contract approval, that appropriate provisions be included so that such information may be made available to enrollees of the plan involved.

Requires OPM to conduct a demonstration project to assess the feasibility and desirability of offering the use of arbitration, instead of litigation, to resolve medical malpractice claims arising out of covered health care services.

Sets forth provisions regarding project requirements and evaluation.

What's happening now March 14, 1995

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3094)

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 3