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Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 1997

Introduced: February 25, 1997 See on congress.gov
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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 25, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Feb 25, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1570-1571)
Feb 25, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Public Health Service Act to require any group health plan which provides emergency health services to cover emergency services furnished to a plan participant: (1) without need for any prior authorization; (2) subject to stated exceptions, whether or not the physician or provider is plan participant; and (3) subject to stated exceptions, without regard to any other term or condition of the plan. Defines "emergency medical services" and related terms.

Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) to provide for the provision of the same benefits to Medicare and Medicaid plan participants.

Provides for the establishment of guidelines by the appropriate Secretaries in order carry out the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretaries to jointly establish an advisory panel to assist in the development of such guidelines.

What's happening now February 25, 1997

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 356: Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-356/
MLA
"S. 356: Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-356/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 356, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-356/.
Markdown link
[S. 356: Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-356/)
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