PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 31, 2009
Patient-Controlled Healthcare Protection Act of 2009 - Establishes an Advantage HSA (health savings account) program to provide payments to individuals in lieu of benefits under the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments made to an Advantage HSA and premium payments for a high deductible health plan under an Advantage HSA.
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for payment by debit card of HSA medical expenses.
Establishes the HSA Healthcare Panel to review information relating to treatments, services, and products treatable as medical expenses under an HSA.
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Requires health care providers to disclose to patients the actual price to be charged for services or treatment and different payment rates applicable to other health care entities.
Prohibits the issuance or renewal of an immigrant visa to an alien unless such alien presents evidence of coverage under a high deductible health plan and an HSA. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to impose criminal penalties on an alien who reenters the United States after receiving emergency medical assistance prior to removal.
People & committees
Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1] · R–TX
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to House Judiciary
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
Referred to House Ways and Means
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and the Judiciary, 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: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3478 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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