To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the enforcement of standards relating to the rights of patients in certain medical facilities.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 23, 1993

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the governing boards of hospitals and skilled nursing facilities having an average duration of patient stay of more than 30 days to establish written policies guaranteeing specified rights of patients, including: (1) information on services and charges; (2) information on and participation in medical treatment; (3) conditions of transfer or discharge; (4) grievances; (5) management of personal financial affairs; (6) freedom from abuse and restraints; (7) confidentiality of records; and (8) freedom of association. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish civil penalties for the violation of such rights. Sets forth provisions concerning the processing and investigation of complaints arising from such violations.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Byrne, Leslie L. [D-VA-11] · D–VA

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee
Ways and Means Committee

11 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 9, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
Feb 25, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 23, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Feb 23, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Feb 23, 1993
Introduced in House
Feb 23, 1993
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Feb 23, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jun 3, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1044 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1044, 103rd Congress: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the enforcement of standards relating to the rights of patients in certain medical facilities.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1044

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-02-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr1044/BILLS-103hr1044ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1044 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1044 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1044, 103rd Congress: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the enforcement of standards relating to the rights of patients in certain medical facilities.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1044

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-02-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr1044/BILLS-103hr1044ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1044 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1044 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1044, 103rd Congress: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the enforcement of standards relating to the rights of patients in certain medical facilities.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1044

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-02-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr1044/BILLS-103hr1044ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1044 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1044 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1044, 103rd Congress: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the enforcement of standards relating to the rights of patients in certain medical facilities.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1044

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-02-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr1044/BILLS-103hr1044ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1044 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.