To amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to allow the spouse of a Federal employee or annuitant to obtain health benefits coverage for self alone, and for other purposes.

Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 21, 2002

Authorizes the spouse of a Federal employee or annuitant to enroll in a health benefit plan as an individual, and be provided the same Government contribution (and be subject to the same rates) as if an annuitant, as long as the employee or annuitant is not concurrently enrolled for self and family.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4] · D–MA

Committees

Oversight and Government Reform 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.

Jun 21, 2002
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
Jun 21, 2002
Introduced in House
Jun 21, 2002
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 · Jun 21, 2002 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: Feb 4, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4997 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.4997, 107th Congress: To amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to allow the spouse of a Federal employee or annuitant to obtain health benefits coverage for self alone, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4997

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-06-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4997/BILLS-107hr4997ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-02-04T16:55:57Z. 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.4997 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.4997 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.4997, 107th Congress: To amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to allow the spouse of a Federal employee or annuitant to obtain health benefits coverage for self alone, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4997

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-06-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4997/BILLS-107hr4997ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-02-04T16:55:57Z. 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.4997 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.4997 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.4997, 107th Congress: To amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to allow the spouse of a Federal employee or annuitant to obtain health benefits coverage for self alone, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4997

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-06-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4997/BILLS-107hr4997ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-02-04T16:55:57Z. 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.4997 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.4997 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.4997, 107th Congress: To amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to allow the spouse of a Federal employee or annuitant to obtain health benefits coverage for self alone, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4997

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-06-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4997/BILLS-107hr4997ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-02-04T16:55:57Z. 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.4997 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.