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H.R.451 / 105th Congress

To provide for a special Medicare part B enrollment period and a special medigap open enrollment period for certain military retirees and dependents.

See H.R.2015.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 20, 1997

Instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the case of certain military retirees and dependents, to provide for a special enrollment period during which such an individual may enroll under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Prohibits an issuer of a Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policy, in the case of such an individual who seeks to enroll during such special enrollment period, from denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of such a policy, or from discriminating in its pricing on the basis of the individual's health status, medical condition, claims experience, receipt of health care, medical history, genetic information, evidence of insurability, or disability.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Ensign, John [R-NV-1] · R–NV

Committees

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

Actions

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  1. See H.R.2015.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  4. Referred to House Ways and Means

  5. Referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 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.

  6. Referred to House Commerce

  7. Introduced in House

  8. 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: Jun 3, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.451 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.451 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.451 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.451 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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