Skip to main content
S 449 105th Congress Senate 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) Labor and Employment Labor contracts Law Patients' rights Physician-patient privilege Self-insurance State laws

Patient Right to Know Act

Introduced: March 17, 1997 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 24, 1998
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held.
May 20, 1997
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held.
Mar 18, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2484-2485)
Mar 17, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Mar 17, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2357-2358)
Mar 17, 1997
Introduced in Senate
 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 being 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 legal treatment options.

What's happening now March 24, 1998

Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2