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HR 1883 111th Congress House Health Health care costs and insurance Health care coverage and access Health programs administration and funding Health promotion and preventive care Legal fees and court costs Medical ethics Medical research Medical tests and diagnostic methods Minority health Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Patient Advocate Act of 2009

Introduced: April 2, 2009 Introduced by: Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" Democratic · Virginia See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 21, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Apr 2, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 2, 2009
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Patient Advocate Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program under which the Secretary may make grants for the development and operation of programs to provide services for patients to resolve health insurance, job retention, and debt crisis matters related to the patients' diagnosis and illness. Includes as services to be provided by grant recipients: (1) acting as contacts for individuals who are seeking prevention or early detection services or treatment for an adverse health condition; (2) facilitating the involvement of community organizations in assisting individuals to receive better access to high-quality health care services; (3) notifying individuals of clinical trials and facilitating enrollment of individuals in trials; (4) anticipating, identifying, and helping individuals to overcome barriers within the health care system to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment; (5) coordinating with the relevant health insurance ombudsman programs to provide information to individuals about health coverage; and (6) conducting ongoing outreach to health disparity populations in addition to assisting other individuals to seek preventive care.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) require grantees to prohibit any patient health advocate providing services under the grant from accepting any referral fee, kickback, or other thing of value in return for referring an individual to a particular health care provider; and (2) prohibit the use of any grant funds to pay any fees or costs resulting from any proceeding to resolve a legal dispute.

Sets forth provisions prohibiting discrimination in any program or activities funded or otherwise financially assisted under this Act.

What's happening now April 21, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2