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S 249 105th Congress Senate

Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1997

Official title: A bill to require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer,… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer, coverage for reconstructive surgery following mastectomies, and coverage for secondary consultations.

Introduced: June 5, 1997 See on congress.gov
Health Breast cancerCollective bargaining agreementsCommerceConsumer education
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Employee health benefitsFinance and Financial SectorHealth insuranceHealth insurance industryHospital careLabor and EmploymentMastectomyStandardsSurgeryWomenWomen's health
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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
May 14, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4875-4876)
Nov 5, 1997
Subcommittee on Health Care. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-917.
Jan 30, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jan 30, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S884-886)
Jan 30, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 14, 1998

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4875-4876)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to require certain group health plans, and health insurance issuers providing coverage under a group plan, to ensure specified minimum coverage regarding: (1) breast cancer mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissections; (2) post-mastectomy breast reconstruction on both breasts; and (3) secondary consultations by specialists. Prohibits: (1) changing coverage terms and conditions based on a participant's or beneficiary's decision to request less than the minimum coverage; and (2) certain penalties or incentives to providers or specialists. Amends: (1) the Public Health Service Act to apply the same requirements to health insurance issuers in the individual market; and (2) the Internal Revenue Code to apply those requirements to group health plans.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 616 Identical bill Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1997
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1 Republican 1
D
Murray, Patty
Washington · May 22, 1998
 R
Grassley, Chuck
Iowa · Jun 5, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 249: Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-249/
MLA
"S. 249: Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-249/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 249, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-249/.
Markdown link
[S. 249: Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-249/)
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