PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 14, 2001
Bipartisan Patient Protection Act - Imposes utilization review requirements on group health plans and health insurance issuers. Establishes a claims denial right to internal and external appeal. Makes a claim eligible for independent medical review if it was denied because the item or service is not medically necessary and appropriate, is experimental or investigational, or is not covered based on other grounds that require evaluation of the medical facts by a health care professional.Requires access to care, including non-network providers, timely access to specialty care, direct access to specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, investigational drug and device coverage, coverage for patients in clinical trials, and the inpatient period for breast cancer patients.Prohibits restricting a health care professional's communications with a patient, discrimination against a provider solely because of the provider's license or certification, improper incentives, and retaliation for patient advocacy, including by providers. Requires prompt claims payment.Requires issuers offering individual coverage, and plans and issuers under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, to comply with this Act.Makes a plan or issuer liable for economic and noneconomic damages for failing to exercise ordinary care in making a decision that is not eligible for independent medical review. Shields an employer or other plan sponsor from that liability unless it directly participated in the decision. Allows up to $5 million in penalties if the claimant demonstrates that the defendant's conduct demonstrated bad faith and flagrant disregard for the participant's or beneficiary's rights. Prohibits actions under specified provisions of this Act from being class actions.Mandates transfer of Federal revenues to ensure that the income and balances of Social Security Act trust funds are not reduced as a result of this Act's enactment.Extends the termination date of provisions imposing fees on certain customs services.Delays the required submission date of a letter of credit by carriers administering Supplementary Medical Insurance.
People & committees
Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] · R–AZ
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate ordered measure printed as passed.
Measure amended in Senate by unanimous consent after passage.
Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 59 - 36. Record Vote Number: 220. (text: CR 7/09/2001 S7338-7361)
Senate roll call 220 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 59 - 36. Record Vote Number: 220.(text: CR 7/09/2001 S7338-7361)
Senate roll call 220 · Individual votesBy a decision of the Senate the point of order against the Smith (OR) Motion To Commit was sustained by Yea-Nay Vote. 57 - 41. Record Vote Number: 214.
Senate roll call 214 · Individual votesPoint of order that the Smith (OR) Motion To Commit violates the U.S. Constitution raised in the Senate.
Motion by Senator Smith, of OR to commit to Senate Committee on Finance, with instructions to report H.R. 3 back to the Senate with an amendment, made in Senate. (text: CR S7136; text as modified: CR S7138)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7127-7185)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7011-7076)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6937-6983)
Motion by Senator Frist to commit to Senate Committee on Finance; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; the Judiciary rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 39 - 61. Record Vote Number: 196.
Senate roll call 196 · Individual votesMotion by Senator Frist for Senator Grassley to commit considered by Senate. (text as modified: CR S6870)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6870-6885, S6887-6913)
Motion by Senator Frist for Senator Grassley to commit considered by Senate. (text: CR S6835)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6835-6844, S6845-6860)
Motion by Senator Frist to commit to Senate Committees on Finance; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; the Judiciary,with instructions to report the same back not later than 14 days after adoption of the motion, made in Senate. (consideration: CR S6634; text: CR S6634)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6627-6657)
Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S6535-6594)
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 98 - 0. Record Vote Number: 193.
Senate roll call 193 · Individual votesMotion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S6463-6506)
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S6403-6440)
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 75.
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Mar 9, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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