PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.1539 / 109th Congress

To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the responsibilities of a pharmacy when a pharmacist employed by the pharmacy refuses to fill a valid prescription for a drug on the basis of religious beliefs or moral convictions, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 8, 2005

Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a pharmacy from receiving a prescription in interstate commerce unless it: (1) ensures that a prescription that is not filled due to a refusal by a pharmacist on the basis of religious beliefs or moral convictions is filled by another pharmacist employed by the pharmacy within four hours of such refusal; and (2) does not employ any pharmacist who refuses to return an unfilled prescription to the patient or transfer an unfilled prescription to another pharmacy with the intent to prevent a patient from filling a valid prescription for a drug.

Sets forth penalties for violations. Allows a civil action against a pharmacy for a violation of this Act.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. McCarthy, Carolyn [D-NY-4] · D–NY

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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

    1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    2. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    3. Introduced in House

    4. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

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

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    Source last updated: Feb 5, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.1539 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
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.1539 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
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.1539 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
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.1539 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