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H.R. 1606: DOC Access Act

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H.R. 1606: DOC Access Act

115th Congress · introduced 2017-03-17 · Health · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-03-17 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

DOC Access Act

Plain summary

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act or the DOC Access Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group health plans and individual health insurance coverage from setting rates for items and services provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan or insurer does not pay a substantial amount. An agreement between a plan or insurer and such a doctor: (1) may only be changed with the doctor's acknowledgement and acceptance, and (2) may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension if the agreement is for limited scope dental or vision benefits. Such a doctor must be allowed to participate in: (1) a plan or coverage without accepting terms for ancillary services or procedures, and (2) a provider network without participating in a specific limited scope dental or vision benefit plan. Plans and insurers may not: (1) directly communicate with an enrolled individual in a manner that interferes with an existing doctor-patient relationship or a state or federal requirement, or (2) restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers. The bill establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by a violation of this bill. The bill is preempted by state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

DOC Access Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] · 105 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ), Brian Babin (R-TX), Michael K. Simpson (R-ID), David Rouzer (R-NC), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Austin Scott (R-GA), Mike Rogers (R-AL), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Grace Meng (D-NY), Tom Cole (R-OK), Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Bill Foster (D-IL), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Roger Williams (R-TX), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), David P. Joyce (R-OH), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (R-AR) and 45 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] reported raising $7.3 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr1606 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115