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HR 1179 112th Congress House Health Civil actions and liability Comprehensive health care Health care costs and insurance Health care coverage and access Health personnel Medical ethics Religion

Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011

Introduced: March 17, 2011 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 28, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mar 17, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mar 17, 2011
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to permit a health plan to decline coverage of specific items and services that are contrary to the religious beliefs of the sponsor, issuer, or other entity offering the plan or the purchaser or beneficiary (in the case of individual coverage) without penalty.  Declares that such plans are still considered to: (1) be providing the essential health benefits package or preventive health services, (2) be a qualified health plan, and (3) have fulfilled other requirements under PPACA.

Declares that nothing in PPACA shall be construed to authorize a health plan to require a provider to provide, participate in, or refer for a specific item or service contrary to the provider's religious beliefs or moral convictions. Prohibits a health plan from being considered to have failed to provide timely or other access to items or services or to fulfill any other requirement under PPACA because it has respected the rights of conscience of such a provider.

Prohibits an American Health Benefit Exchange (a state health insurance exchange) or other official or entity acting in a governmental capacity in the course of implementing PPACA from discriminating against a health plan, plan sponsor, health care provider, or other person because of an unwillingness to provide coverage of, participate in, or refer for, specific items or services.

Creates a private cause of action for the protection of individual rights created under this Act. Authorizes any person or entity to assert a violation of this Act as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding.

Designates the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive and investigate complaints of discrimination based on this Act.

Makes this Act effective as if it were included in PPACA.

What's happening now March 28, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 48
R
DesJarlais, Scott
Tennessee · Feb 29, 2012
R
Issa, Darrell
California · Feb 29, 2012
R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Feb 29, 2012
R
Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck"
Tennessee · Feb 17, 2012
R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Feb 17, 2012
R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Feb 16, 2012
R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Feb 16, 2012
R
Scott, Austin
Georgia · Feb 16, 2012
D
Cuellar, Henry
Texas · Feb 15, 2012
R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · Feb 15, 2012
R
Carter, John R.
Texas · Feb 14, 2012
R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Feb 13, 2012
R
Womack, Steve
Arkansas · Feb 13, 2012
R
Bilirakis, Gus M.
Florida · Feb 9, 2012
R
Diaz-Balart, Mario
Florida · Feb 9, 2012
R
Wilson, Joe
South Carolina · Feb 9, 2012
R
Young, Todd
Indiana · Feb 7, 2012
R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Feb 6, 2012
R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · Feb 6, 2012
R
Thompson, Glenn
Pennsylvania · Feb 6, 2012
R
Gosar, Paul A.
Arizona · Feb 3, 2012
R
Schweikert, David
Arizona · Feb 3, 2012
R
Buchanan, Vern
Florida · Feb 2, 2012
R
Jordan, Jim
Ohio · Feb 2, 2012
R
Aderholt, Robert B.
Alabama · Feb 1, 2012
R
Stutzman, Marlin A.
Indiana · Feb 1, 2012
R
Guthrie, Brett
Kentucky · Jan 31, 2012
R
Foxx, Virginia
North Carolina · Jan 23, 2012
R
Turner, Michael R.
Ohio · Jan 23, 2012
R
Kelly, Mike
Pennsylvania · Oct 25, 2011
R
Lummis, Cynthia M.
Wyoming · Oct 12, 2011
R
Cassidy, Bill
Louisiana · Oct 4, 2011
R
Crawford, Eric A. "Rick"
Arkansas · Oct 4, 2011
R
Scott, Tim
South Carolina · Sep 20, 2011
R
Calvert, Ken
California · Sep 12, 2011
R
Latta, Robert E.
Ohio · Sep 12, 2011
R
Graves, Sam
Missouri · Sep 7, 2011
R
Huizenga, Bill
Michigan · Sep 7, 2011
R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Aug 5, 2011
R
Smith, Adrian
Nebraska · Jul 28, 2011
R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · Jul 27, 2011
R
McClintock, Tom
California · Jul 22, 2011
R
McCaul, Michael T.
Texas · Jun 23, 2011
R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jun 14, 2011
R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · May 4, 2011
R
Lankford, James
Oklahoma · Apr 14, 2011
R
Scalise, Steve
Louisiana · Mar 17, 2011
R
Walberg, Tim
Michigan · Mar 17, 2011