[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4068 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4068

                  For the relief of Richelle Starnes.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 1, 2007

  Mr. Feeney introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
                  For the relief of Richelle Starnes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) In 1979, Kathy Baker contracted HIV as the direct 
        result of an ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosed by her naval 
        physician at Mare Island Naval Clinic in Vallejo, California. 
        This misdiagnosis precipitated an emergency blood transfusion, 
        which was later determined to be the source of her infection.
            (2) In 1980, Kathy Baker gave birth to her daughter 
        Richelle (now known as Richelle Starnes), who was born with 
        HIV.
            (3) Because of the Navy's culpability for Richelle's 
        condition, Richelle has received treatment from the Navy as a 
        Secretary of the Navy Designee. However, the Navy recently 
        informed Richelle that the Navy would only extend her treatment 
        for outpatient care for 3 additional years, and it would no 
        longer pay for inpatient treatment or prescribed medications.

SEC. 2. REIMBURSEMENT FOR MEDICAL CARE.

    (a) Inpatient and Outpatient Care.--The Secretary of the Navy shall 
reimburse Richelle Starnes for the costs of inpatient and outpatient 
treatment she receives at any naval medical facility (unless she is 
denied service at such a facility, in which case she may seek 
reimbursement for such treatment at a private medical facility) for any 
care arising from or related to HIV or the treatment of HIV.
    (b) Prescription Medication.--The Secretary of the Navy shall 
reimburse Richelle Starnes for the costs of medication that is 
prescribed for reasons arising from or related to HIV or the treatment 
of HIV.
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