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H.R.3997 / 105th Congress

Medicare Consumer Bill of Rights Conforming Act of 1998

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 4, 1998

Medicare Consumer Bill of Rights Conforming Act of 1998 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a Medicare+Choice organization that requires or provides for an enrollee to designate a participating primary care provider to permit such an individual to designate a participating physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology as the individual's primary care provider. Declares that, if such an individual has not designated such a provider as a primary care provider, the organization: (1) may not require authorization or referral by the individual's primary care provider, or otherwise, for coverage of routine gynecological care (such as preventive women's health examinations) and pregnancy-related services provided by a participating health care professional who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology to the extent such care is otherwise covered. Authorizes the organization to treat the ordering of other gynecological care by such a participating physician as the authorization of the primary care provider with respect to such care under the Medicare+Choice plan. Requires a Medicare+Choice organization to permit an enrollee undergoing a course of treatment from a health care provider when the contract between organization and provider is terminated to continue or be covered with respect to the course of treatment with the provider during a specified transitional period.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13] · D–CA

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  3. Referred to House Commerce

  4. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, 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.

  5. Referred to House Ways and Means

  6. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1026)

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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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.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3997 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

Examine H.R.3997 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.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3997 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3997 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.

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