Health ACCESS Act
Health Care: Online Appointment Scheduling Rules
The Health ACCESS Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to two House committees for review and is not yet scheduled for a vote. The bill is considered active as it waits for these committees to begin their work.
Legislative Progress
This bill has support from both Republicans and Democrats, which helps its chances. However, it is still in the very early stages of the lawmaking process and has not yet been voted on.
Key Points
- This bill updates federal law to allow doctors and hospitals to pay fees to online booking websites. This makes it easier for patients to find available appointments and book them directly through a computer or phone.
- It specifically helps patients using federal programs like Medicare. Currently, strict anti-kickback laws make it difficult for these patients to use some popular online scheduling tools because the fees doctors pay could be seen as illegal referrals.
- The bill includes rules to protect consumers. Websites cannot steer patients to certain doctors based on who pays the most. Instead, they must use fair and objective criteria like location, specialty, or the next available opening.
- Privacy is a major focus. The booking platforms are forbidden from sharing a user's contact information with any doctor or office except for the one the patient actually selects for an appointment.
- These websites must also be transparent. They are required to tell users that they have a financial deal with the doctors on the site and cannot send unwanted marketing texts or calls to people who haven't asked for them.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Health ACCESS Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(9)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.