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Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 1997

Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-604.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 20, 1997

Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 1997 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage, from: (1) excluding or restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) denying eligibility based on use or potential use of such items or services; (3) providing monetary payments or rebates to a covered individual to encourage acceptance of less than the minimum protections available; (4) penalizing, reducing, or limiting a professional's reimbursement because the professional prescribed such drugs or devices or provided such services; or (5) providing incentives to a professional to induce the professional to withhold drugs, devices, or services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply those prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] · R–ME

Committees

  • Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
35 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-604.

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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