Sponsored Legislation
Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011
Washington,
Mar 17, 2011 -
H.R.1179
Latest Title: Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011 Sponsor: Rep Fortenberry, Jeff [NE-1] (introduced 3/17/2011) Cosponsors (71) Related Bills: S.1467 Latest Major Action: 3/28/2011 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. SUMMARY AS OF: 3/17/2011--Introduced.
Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to permit a health plan to decline coverage of specific items and services that are contrary to the religious beliefs of the sponsor, issuer, or other entity offering the plan or the purchaser or beneficiary (in the case of individual coverage) without penalty. Declares that such plans are still considered to: (1) be providing the essential health benefits package or preventive health services, (2) be a qualified health plan, and (3) have fulfilled other requirements under PPACA. Declares that nothing in PPACA shall be construed to authorize a health plan to require a provider to provide, participate in, or refer for a specific item or service contrary to the provider's religious beliefs or moral convictions. Prohibits a health plan from being considered to have failed to provide timely or other access to items or services or to fulfill any other requirement under PPACA because it has respected the rights of conscience of such a provider. |