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H.R.6908 / 110th Congress

Health Insurance Restrictions and Limitations Clarification Act of 2008

Received in the Senate.

Official summary

Version 36 · Passed House amended · Sep 23, 2008

Health Insurance Restrictions and Limitations Clarification Act of 2008 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to exclude a group health plan from prohibitions against limitations or restrictions on the amount, level, extent, or nature of the benefits of coverage for similarly situated individuals enrolled in the plan so long as: (1) such limitations and restrictions are explicit and clear; (2) such limitations and restrictions have been disclosed to the plan sponsor in writing in advance of the point of sale; (3) the plan sponsor provides a description of such limitations and restrictions to participants and beneficiaries in a form that is easily understandable before enrollment; and (4) the plan sponsor and the issuer of the coverage provide such description to the participants and beneficiaries upon their enrollment under the plan at the earliest opportunity that other materials are provided.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26] · R–TX

Committees

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

Actions

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  1. Received in the Senate.

  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8666-8667)

  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8666-8667)

  5. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6908.

  6. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8666-8668)

  7. Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 566.

  9. Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

  10. Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

  11. Committee on Education and Labor discharged.

  12. Committee on Education and Labor discharged.

  13. Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 110-870, Part I.

  14. Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 110-870, Part I.

  15. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  16. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  17. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, and 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.

  18. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, and 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.

  19. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, and 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.

  20. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, and 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.

  21. Introduced in House

  22. 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: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.6908 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

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.6908 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.6908 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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