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H.R.1604 / 104th Congress

Working Families Health Access Act of 1995

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 10, 1995

Working Families Health Access Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on a health insurance policy issuer (or, in the case of a self-insured plan, the sponsor) equal to a specified percentage of premiums received (or, in the case of a self-insured plan, of expenditures) under the policy or plan during the calendar year for failure to meet the standards specified in this Act. Prohibits the establishment or imposition by group health plans or carriers offering health insurance coverage in connection with a plan, or for individuals with qualifying previous coverage, of eligibility, continuation, enrollment, or contribution requirements based on factors directly related to health status, medical condition, claims experience, receipt of health care, medical history, disability, or evidence of insurability. Requires the use of preexisting condition limitations or exclusions to be limited to a three-month period before the date of enrollment during which the condition was diagnosed or treated. Limits the period of limitation or exclusion relating to treatment of the condition to no more than six months and credits periods of qualifying previous coverage to reduce that period. Makes exceptions to the limitation or exclusion period for treatment related to pregnancy, newborns, and adopted children. Prohibits a carrier from refusing to renew health insurance coverage except for specified reasons, including premium nonpayment or fraud by the insured. Details allowable nondiscriminatory conditions for discontinuation of coverage, geographic limitations, and minimum participation requirements. Allows States to establish, implement, or continue in effect health insurance coverage standards that are at least as stringent as those established by this Act. Qualifies, for purposes of the provisions imposing an excise tax for the failure of group health plans to meet continuation coverage requirements, coverage that meets certain general availability and preexisting condition limitation requirements and that has an actuarial value of at least two-thirds or one-half of the costliest continuation coverage available under the plan (excluding that in which an insignificant proportion of eligible individuals is enrolled) at respectively reduced premiums. Treats, with certain exceptions, divorce (or annulment) or separation of a covered employee from the employee's spouse, if the employee disenrolls a qualified beneficiary within the 12-month period preceding the date of such divorce or separation, as a qualifying event (allowing the election of continuation coverage) and the loss of coverage a result (and by reason) of such event. Excludes eligibility under part B of Medicare on the basis of end stage renal disease as a condition that terminates continuation coverage (under current law, becoming eligible under Medicare terminates such coverage).

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Who introduced it

Rep. Johnson, Nancy L. [R-CT-6] · R–CT

Committees

  • Ways and Means Committee
10 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1001)

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1604 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.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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