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HR 3471 113th Congress House Health Abortion Civil actions and liability Federal preemption Health facilities and institutions Health personnel Medical education Medical tests and diagnostic methods Women's health

Women's Health Protection Act of 2013

Introduced: November 13, 2013 Introduced by: Chu, Judy Democratic · California See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) 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
Nov 15, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Nov 13, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Nov 13, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Women's Health Protection Act of 2013 - Makes the following limitations and requirements concerning abortion services unlawful and prohibits their imposition or application by any government:

  • a requirement that a medical professional perform specific tests or follow specific medical procedures, unless generally required in the case of medically comparable procedures;
  • a limitation on an abortion provider's ability to delegate tasks, other than one applicable to medically comparable procedures;
  • a limitation on an abortion provider's ability to prescribe or dispense drugs based on her or his good-faith medical judgment, other than one generally applicable;
  • a limitation on an abortion provider's ability to provide abortion services via telemedicine, other than one generally applicable;
  • a requirement or limitation concerning the physical plant, equipment, staffing, or hospital transfer arrangements of facilities where abortions are performed, or the credentials, hospital privileges, or status of personnel at such facilities that is not otherwise imposed where medically comparable procedures are performed;
  • a requirement that, prior to obtaining an abortion, a woman make medically unnecessary visits to the provider of abortion services or to any individual or entity that does not provide such services; and
  • a requirement or limitation that prohibits or restricts medical training for abortion procedures, other than one generally applicable to medically comparable procedures.

Makes unlawful a measure or action that restricts the provision of abortion services, or the facilities that provide them, that is similar to any of those described above if it singles out abortion services or make abortion services more difficult to access and does not significantly advance women's health or the safety of abortion services.

Provides standards for the making of a prima facie case in a civil action challenging such restrictions and factors to be considered by a court in determining whether a measure or action impedes access to abortion services.

Makes the following other restrictions on the performance of abortion unlawful and prohibits their imposition or application by any government:

  • a prohibition or ban prior to fetal viability;
  • a prohibition after fetal viability when, in the good-faith medical judgment of the treating physician, continuation of the pregnancy would pose a risk to the woman's life or health;
  • a restriction that limits a woman's ability to obtain an immediate abortion when a health care professional believes, based on good-faith medical judgment, that delay would pose a risk to the woman's health; and
  • a prohibition or restriction on obtaining an abortion prior to fetal viability based on a woman's reasons or perceived reasons or that requires her to state her reasons before obtaining an abortion prior to fetal viability.

Requires courts to liberally construe the provisions of this Act.

Authorizes the Attorney General or an individual or entity aggrieved by (or a health facility or medical professional adversely affected by) a violation of this Act, to commence a civil action for injunctive relief.

Preempts any provision enacted by a state or subdivision having the force of law that conflicts with any provision of this Act.

What's happening now November 15, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 92
D
Green, Al
Texas · Nov 20, 2014
Heck, Denny
· Nov 13, 2014
VISCLOSKY, PETER
· Nov 12, 2014
GREEN, GENE
· Jul 31, 2014
ENGEL, ELIOT
· Jul 30, 2014
D
Schneider, Bradley Scott
Illinois · Jul 9, 2014
D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Jul 7, 2014
MCCARTHY, CAROLYN
· Jul 3, 2014
D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · Jun 30, 2014
D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Jun 30, 2014
MCDERMOTT, JIM
· Jun 23, 2014
CROWLEY, JOSEPH
· Jun 17, 2014
BRADY, ROBERT
· Jun 10, 2014
D
Doggett, Lloyd
Texas · Jun 2, 2014
D
Thompson, Mike
California · Apr 9, 2014
D
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Florida · Apr 4, 2014
PASTOR, ED
· Mar 14, 2014
D
Bonamici, Suzanne
Oregon · Feb 26, 2014
D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Feb 26, 2014
D
Peters, Gary C.
Michigan · Feb 26, 2014
D
Foster, Bill
Illinois · Feb 14, 2014
D
Matsui, Doris O.
California · Feb 14, 2014
D
Clark, Katherine M.
Massachusetts · Feb 10, 2014
D
Quigley, Mike
Illinois · Feb 10, 2014
Gabbard, Tulsi
· Feb 3, 2014
LOWEY, NITA
· Jan 16, 2014
D
Ruiz, Raul
California · Jan 16, 2014
DAVIS, SUSAN
· Jan 7, 2014
ISRAEL, STEVE
· Jan 7, 2014
D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Jan 7, 2014
D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Dec 12, 2013
Hanabusa, Colleen
· Dec 12, 2013
HONDA, MICHAEL
· Dec 12, 2013
D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Dec 12, 2013
O'Rourke, Beto
· Dec 12, 2013
D
Peters, Scott H.
California · Dec 4, 2013
D
Pingree, Chellie
Maine · Dec 4, 2013
D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Dec 4, 2013
Shea-Porter, Carol
· Dec 4, 2013
D
Wilson, Frederica S.
Florida · Dec 4, 2013
CAPPS, LOIS
· Nov 21, 2013
CAPUANO, MICHAEL
· Nov 21, 2013
Kennedy, Joseph
· Nov 21, 2013
D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Nov 21, 2013
TIERNEY, JOHN
· Nov 21, 2013
D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · Nov 15, 2013
D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · Nov 15, 2013
D
Himes, James A.
Connecticut · Nov 15, 2013
Maffei, Daniel
· Nov 15, 2013
Schwartz, Allyson
· Nov 15, 2013
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3471: Women's Health Protection Act of 2013. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-3471/
MLA
"H.R. 3471: Women's Health Protection Act of 2013." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-3471/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3471, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-3471/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3471: Women's Health Protection Act of 2013](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-3471/)
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