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S 1194 105th Congress Senate

Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997

Official title: A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify the right of medicare beneficiaries to enter into private contracts with physicians and other… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify the right of medicare beneficiaries to enter into private contracts with physicians and other health care professionals for the provision of health services for which no payment is sought under the medicare program.

Introduced: September 24, 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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 8, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11892-11893)
Feb 26, 1998
Committee on Finance. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-922.
Nov 8, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12080-12081)
Sep 18, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sep 18, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action October 8, 1998

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11892-11893)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 regarding the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries for professional services. Outlines specific requirements for private contracts between Medicare beneficiaries and physicians or health care practitioners for services for which no Medicare claims may be submitted.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 2497 Identical bill Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 2
R
McConnell, Mitch
Kentucky · Oct 6, 1997
 R
Grassley, Chuck
Iowa · Sep 24, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1194: Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-1194/
MLA
"S. 1194: Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-1194/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1194, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-1194/.
Markdown link
[S. 1194: Medicare Beneficiary Freedom To Contract Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-1194/)
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