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HR 4628 108th Congress House

Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2004

Official title: To amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to protect consumers in managed care plans and other health coverage.

Introduced: June 21, 2004 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) 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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 7, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Jul 19, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jun 21, 2004
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 21, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 7, 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Patient Bill of Rights Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code to apply patient protection and quality care standards to group health plans and issuers of health insurance coverage. Applies such standards also to Federal health insurance programs.

Requires such plans and issuers to have approved utilization review programs, claims procedures, and appeal procedures concerning claims denials.

Requires patient access to health plan information and to care, including: (1) a consumer choice option and choice of health care professional; (2) emergency care; (3) timely access to specialists; (4) obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics; (5) care continuity; (6) prescription drugs; (7) participation in clinical trials; and (8) breast cancer treatment hospital stays and consultations.

Restricts interference by a plan or insurer with the doctor-patient relationship. Prohibits discrimination against a licensed health care professional with respect to participation or indemnification. Sets forth requirements relating to payment of claims and protection of patient advocacy.

Provides a tax credit for the health insurance expenses of small businesses. Treats qualified health benefit purchasing distributions by private foundations as distributions for a charitable purpose.

Establishes demonstration grants programs to: (1) increase access to health insurance through alternative means; and (2) provide health insurance information to small employers.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HRES 773 Procedurally related Providing for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 4628) to protect consumers in managed care plans and other health cov…
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 36
All 36 Democratic 20
D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Oct 8, 2004
HOUGHTON, AMO
· Sep 14, 2004
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Jul 13, 2004
JOHN, CHRISTOPHER
· Jul 13, 2004
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Jul 13, 2004
CHRISTENSEN, DONNA
· Jul 6, 2004
 D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Jul 6, 2004
RODRIGUEZ, CIRO
· Jul 6, 2004
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Jun 25, 2004
 D
Doggett, Lloyd
Texas · Jun 22, 2004
HOEFFEL, JOSEPH
· Jun 22, 2004
 D
McCollum, Betty
Minnesota · Jun 22, 2004
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Jun 22, 2004
Bell, Chris
· Jun 21, 2004
BERRY, MARION
· Jun 21, 2004
 D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · Jun 21, 2004
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Jun 21, 2004
EDWARDS, CHET
· Jun 21, 2004
FROST, MARTIN
· Jun 21, 2004
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Jun 21, 2004
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Jun 21, 2004
LAMPSON, NICK
· Jun 21, 2004
 D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · Jun 21, 2004
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Jun 21, 2004
 D
Meeks, Gregory W.
New York · Jun 21, 2004
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Jun 21, 2004
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Jun 21, 2004
 D
Sánchez, Linda T.
California · Jun 21, 2004
SANDLIN, MAX
· Jun 21, 2004
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Jun 21, 2004
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Jun 21, 2004
SPRATT, JOHN
· Jun 21, 2004
STENHOLM, CHARLES
· Jun 21, 2004
STUPAK, BART
· Jun 21, 2004
TURNER, JIM
· Jun 21, 2004
 D
Waters, Maxine
California · Jun 21, 2004
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4628: Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4628/
MLA
"H.R. 4628: Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4628/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4628, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4628/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4628: Patients' Bill of Rights Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4628/)
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