To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive the penalty for late enrollment under part B of the Medicare Program for certain military retirees and dependents, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 9, 1998

Declares that there shall be no increase in the monthly premium (no penalty) for certain military retirees and dependents eligible for hospital insurance benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act who enrolled in Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) pursuant to a general enrollment period in 1998 or 1999 and remained continuously enrolled. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to take appropriate action (such as a lump sum payment or adjustment of future premium payments) to assure there is no premium increase for late enrollment for such individuals.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Hefley, Joel [R-CO-5] · R–CO

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee
Ways and Means Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 20, 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Oct 9, 1998
Referred to House Ways and Means
Oct 9, 1998
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.
Oct 9, 1998
Referred to House Commerce
Oct 9, 1998
Introduced in House
Oct 9, 1998
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Oct 9, 1998 Formatted Text PDF

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.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4771 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4771, 105th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive the penalty for late enrollment under part B of the Medicare Program for certain military retirees and dependents, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/4771

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-10-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr4771/BILLS-105hr4771ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4771 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4771 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4771, 105th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive the penalty for late enrollment under part B of the Medicare Program for certain military retirees and dependents, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/4771

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-10-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr4771/BILLS-105hr4771ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4771 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4771 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4771, 105th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive the penalty for late enrollment under part B of the Medicare Program for certain military retirees and dependents, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/4771

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-10-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr4771/BILLS-105hr4771ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4771 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4771 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4771, 105th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive the penalty for late enrollment under part B of the Medicare Program for certain military retirees and dependents, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/4771

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-10-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr4771/BILLS-105hr4771ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-06-03T16:29:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4771 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.