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S 479 106th Congress Senate Health Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Commerce Consumer education Discrimination in insurance Discrimination in medical care Employee health benefits Federal employees Federal preemption Finance and Financial Sector Government Operations and Politics Government employees' health insurance Government paperwork Health insurance Health insurance industry Labor and Employment Managed care Medicaid Medicaid managed care Medicare

Equity in Women's Health Act

Introduced: February 25, 1999 Introduced by: Schumer, Charles E. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) 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, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.
Feb 25, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2022)
Feb 25, 1999
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Equity in Women's Health Act - Amends title XXVII (Miscellaneous) of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to add a new part C (Nondiscrimination and Health Prospectus) to prohibit any group health plan or health insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage from discriminating against an individual on the basis of race, culture, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, language, socio-economic status, age, disability, genetic makeup, health status, anticipated need for health care services, or payer source. Requires such plans and issuers to provide to their enrollees at the time of enrollment and on an annual basis a health prospectus meeting certain requirements that relates to the plan or coverage offered, as well as certain additional specified information with regard to the plan or issuer.

Amends PHSA further to add certain managed care requirements that apply to group and individual health insurance coverage, in addition to modifying preemption standards.

Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Internal Revenue Code, part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as SSA title XIX (Medicaid), and the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program, to make similar amendments concerning the application of managed care requirements as specified above under new part C of PHSA title XXVII.

What's happening now February 25, 1999

Read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 479: Equity in Women's Health Act. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-479/
MLA
"S. 479: Equity in Women's Health Act." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-479/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 479, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-479/.
Markdown link
[S. 479: Equity in Women's Health Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-479/)
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