Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
Official title: “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.”
Earlier names of the bill: “Health Insurance Reform Act of 1996”, “Health Coverage Availability and Affordability Act of 1996”.
What this law changes
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Transparency Score
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What this law changes in taxes
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Press releases by members of Congress
No saved press release names this law.
Read from 539 of 539 members' sites, releases since January 3, 2025, through October 8, 2026.
Press releases by organizations
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Read from 510 of 510 organizations' sites, releases since January 3, 2025, through October 8, 2026.
How it passed
The House passed it 421 to 2 on August 1, 1996, with 10 members who did not vote.
The Senate passed it 98 to 0 on August 2, 1996, with 2 senators who did not vote.
It became law on August 21, 1996.
The question on the official record: House, “On Agreeing to the Conference Report”. Senate, “On the Conference Report H.R. 3103”.
| Chamber and party | Yes | No | Present | Did not vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Republicans | 227 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| House Democrats | 193 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| House independents | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Senate Republicans | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Senate Democrats | 45 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
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