HR 969
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 969
To prohibit conditioning licensure of a health care provider upon
participation in a health plan.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 9, 2011
Mr. PRICE of Georgia (for himself, Mrs. BLACK, Mr. ROE of Tennessee, Mr.
BILBRAY, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado, Mr. CASSIDY,
Mr. GINGREY of Georgia, and Mr. FLEMING) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To prohibit conditioning licensure of a health care provider upon
participation in a health plan.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Medical Practice Freedom Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. HEALTH CARE PROVIDER LICENSURE CANNOT BE CONDITIONED ON PARTICIPATION
IN A HEALTH PLAN.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services and any State (as
a condition of receiving Federal financial participation under title XIX of
the Social Security Act) may not require any health care provider to participate
in any health plan as a condition of licensure of the provider in any State.
(b) Definitions- In this section:
(1) HEALTH PLAN- The term `health plan' has the meaning given such term
in section 1171(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d(5)), and
includes a basic health program established under section 1331 of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), a qualified health
plan offered by a qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer under the
Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) program under section 1322 of
such Act, a qualified health plan offered under a health care choice compact
under section 1333 of such Act, a multi-state qualified health plan offered
under section 1334 of such Act, or other health plan offered under title
I of such Act.
(2) HEALTH CARE PROVIDER- The term `health care provider' means any person
or entity that is required by State or Federal laws or regulations to be
licensed, registered, or certified to provide health care services and is
so licensed, registered, or certified, or exempted from such requirement
by other statute or regulation.
(3) STATE- The term `State' has the meaning given such term for purposes
of title XIX of the Social Security Act.
END
