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HR 3461 117th Congress House Health Civil actions and liability Dental care Employee benefits and pensions Health care costs and insurance Health care coverage and access Hearing, speech, and vision care State and local government operations

DOC Access Act of 2021

Introduced: October 26, 2021 Introduced by: Clarke, Yvette D. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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
May 24, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
May 21, 2021
Introduced in House
May 21, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2021 or the DOC Access Act of 2021

This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from setting rates for items and services, except for dental cleanings, provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan does not pay a substantial amount.

Additionally, an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited scope dental or vision benefits may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension. Plans also may not restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers.

Such doctors may elect to waive the application of the payment amount and choice of laboratories provisions of this bill.

The bill establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by a violation of this bill.

The bill does not supersede state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.

What's happening now May 24, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1793 Related bill DOC Access Act of 2021
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 70
All 70 Democratic 25 Republican 23
D
Williams, Nikema
Georgia · Dec 20, 2022
 D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Oct 31, 2022
 R
Fallon, Pat
Texas · Sep 14, 2022
 R
Bacon, Don
Nebraska · Aug 9, 2022
 R
Murphy, Gregory F.
North Carolina · Jul 21, 2022
 R
Rogers, Mike D.
Alabama · May 24, 2022
Armstrong, Kelly
· May 12, 2022
Malinowski, Tom
· May 12, 2022
Maloney, Sean
· May 11, 2022
 D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · May 10, 2022
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · May 10, 2022
 R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Apr 28, 2022
 R
Thompson, Glenn
Pennsylvania · Apr 28, 2022
Lesko, Debbie
· Apr 6, 2022
 D
Stansbury, Melanie A.
New Mexico · Apr 5, 2022
 R
Van Duyne, Beth
Texas · Apr 5, 2022
 R
Rutherford, John H.
Florida · Mar 30, 2022
Carl, Jerry
· Feb 25, 2022
Mullin, Markwayne
· Feb 25, 2022
 R
Gooden, Lance
Texas · Feb 4, 2022
Luria, Elaine
· Jan 6, 2022
 R
Dunn, Neal P.
Florida · Dec 16, 2021
Lawrence, Brenda
· Dec 16, 2021
 R
Valadao, David G.
California · Dec 16, 2021
 R
Rouzer, David
North Carolina · Dec 9, 2021
 D
Blunt Rochester, Lisa
Delaware · Nov 9, 2021
 D
Courtney, Joe
Connecticut · Nov 9, 2021
 D
Wilson, Frederica S.
Florida · Nov 9, 2021
 D
Watson Coleman, Bonnie
New Jersey · Nov 5, 2021
 D
Gonzalez, Vicente
Texas · Nov 4, 2021
DEFAZIO, PETER
· Oct 26, 2021
 D
Foster, Bill
Illinois · Oct 26, 2021
Sires, Albio
· Oct 26, 2021
 D
Cuellar, Henry
Texas · Oct 21, 2021
Kirkpatrick, Ann
· Oct 21, 2021
Lowenthal, Alan
· Oct 21, 2021
 D
Pocan, Mark
Wisconsin · Oct 21, 2021
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Oct 21, 2021
 D
Meng, Grace
New York · Oct 8, 2021
 R
Womack, Steve
Arkansas · Sep 30, 2021
LaTurner, Jake
· Sep 17, 2021
Perlmutter, Ed
· Sep 17, 2021
LANGEVIN, JAMES
· Aug 13, 2021
 R
Reschenthaler, Guy
Pennsylvania · Aug 13, 2021
 R
Arrington, Jodey C.
Texas · Aug 6, 2021
Axne, Cynthia
· Aug 6, 2021
Ferguson, A.
· Aug 6, 2021
 R
Crawford, Eric A. "Rick"
Arkansas · Jul 29, 2021
Long, Billy
· Jul 29, 2021
 D
Meeks, Gregory W.
New York · Jul 29, 2021
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3461: DOC Access Act of 2021. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3461/
MLA
"H.R. 3461: DOC Access Act of 2021." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3461/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3461, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3461/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3461: DOC Access Act of 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3461/)
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