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HR 586 105th Congress House Health Access to health care Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Commerce Communication in medicine Contracts Federal preemption Fines (Penalties) Freedom of speech Government Operations and Politics Health insurance Health insurance industry Informed consent (Medical law) Law Patients' rights Physician-patient privilege Religion Religious liberty Self-insurance State laws

Patient Right to Know Act

Introduced: February 5, 1997 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) 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 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 31, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1847-1850)
Feb 21, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Feb 14, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Feb 11, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 5, 1997
Referred to House Education and the Workforce
Feb 5, 1997
Referred to House Ways and Means
Feb 5, 1997
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce, 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 5, 1997
Referred to House Commerce
Feb 5, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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 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 treatment options.

What's happening now March 31, 1998

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1847-1850)

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
 Cosponsors 24
All 24 Democratic 16 Republican 7 Independent 1
D
Meeks, Gregory W.
New York · Apr 30, 1998
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Jan 28, 1998
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Oct 21, 1997
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Jun 18, 1997
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · May 1, 1997
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Apr 30, 1997
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Mar 4, 1997
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Mar 4, 1997
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Feb 25, 1997
 D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · Feb 25, 1997
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Feb 25, 1997
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Feb 25, 1997
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Feb 25, 1997
 R
Crapo, Mike
Idaho · Feb 5, 1997
 D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Feb 5, 1997
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Feb 5, 1997
 R
Graham, Lindsey
South Carolina · Feb 5, 1997
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Feb 5, 1997
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Feb 5, 1997
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Feb 5, 1997
 D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · Feb 5, 1997
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Feb 5, 1997
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Feb 5, 1997
 R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Feb 5, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 586: Patient Right to Know Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-586/
MLA
"H.R. 586: Patient Right to Know Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-586/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 586, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-586/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 586: Patient Right to Know Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-586/)
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