Skip to main content
HR 2976 104th Congress House Health Communication in medicine Contracts Federal preemption Fines (Penalties) Government Operations and Politics Health insurance Informed consent (Medical law) Patients' rights Physician-patient privilege State laws

Patient Right To Know Act of 1996

Introduced: May 2, 1996 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 2, 1996
House Committee on Government Reform Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 4, 1996.
Oct 2, 1996
House Committee on Economic and Educational Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 4, 1996.
Oct 2, 1996
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 4, 1996.
Sep 28, 1996
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 2, 1996.
Sep 28, 1996
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 104-865, Part I.
Sep 28, 1996
House Committee on Government Reform Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 2, 1996.
Sep 28, 1996
House Committee on Economic and Educational Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 2, 1996.
Jul 30, 1996
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 24, 1996
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 24, 1996
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 27, 1996
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 27, 1996
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 0.
Mar 15, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Mar 11, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Mar 11, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations.
Mar 8, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 28, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E224-225)
Feb 27, 1996
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Economic and Educational Opportunities, and Government Reform and Oversight, 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 27, 1996
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Patient Right To Know Act of 1996 - Prohibits an entity offering a health plan from prohibiting or restricting any medical communication as part of a written contract or agreement with a provider or a written or oral communication to a provider. 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 physical or mental condition or treatment options. Mandates civil money penalties. Allows State requirements more protective of medical communications than the requirements of this Act.

What's happening now October 2, 1996

House Committee on Government Reform Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 4, 1996.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 8
 Cosponsors 18
All 18 Democratic 13 Republican 4 Independent 1
R
Graham, Lindsey
South Carolina · Sep 18, 1996
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Jun 20, 1996
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Jun 18, 1996
 D
Reed, Jack
Rhode Island · Jun 18, 1996
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jun 5, 1996
 D
Fields, Cleo
Louisiana · May 2, 1996
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · May 2, 1996
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Apr 24, 1996
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Mar 27, 1996
 R
Crapo, Mike
Idaho · Mar 27, 1996
 D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · Mar 14, 1996
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Feb 29, 1996
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Feb 29, 1996
 D
Durbin, Richard J.
Illinois · Feb 27, 1996
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Feb 27, 1996
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Feb 27, 1996
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Feb 27, 1996
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Feb 27, 1996
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2976: Patient Right To Know Act of 1996. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2976/
MLA
"H.R. 2976: Patient Right To Know Act of 1996." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2976/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2976, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2976/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2976: Patient Right To Know Act of 1996](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2976/)
Report a problem