PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 9, 1999
Patients' Formulary Rights Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a group health plan, and the insurance issuer offering such coverage, from using a formulary (a plan which limits the particular drugs for which coverage will be available) unless the plan or issuer: (1) notifies participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees in advance about, and makes available to treating health care professionals under the plan, specified information concerning the formulary; (2) notifies such individuals of any changes in the formulary; and (3) when a drug is removed from the formulary, permits an individual to continue to have the drug prescribed for treatment of the same condition.Includes within required formulary information: (1) the extent of therapeutic substitution; (2) a complete list of all drugs included in the formulary; (3) information on access to nonformulary drugs; (4) whether or not, and to what extent, coverage will exist for nonformulary drugs; (5) copayments or other cost-sharing for formulary drugs; and (6) limits on coverage payments for outpatient formulary and nonformulary drugs.Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require its authorized health insurance issuers and any Medicare+Choice organization to comply with such notification requirements in the same manner that such requirements apply to health insurance coverage or issuers in connection with a group plan.Requires the coordination of notification and formulary requirements through an interagency memorandum of understanding among the Secretaries of Labor, the Treasury, and Health and Human Services.
People & committees
Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4] · D–IL
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2329)
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jun 3, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3274 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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