Us Code § 18122 - Rule of construction regarding health care providers

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 18122 — Rule of construction regarding health care providers, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 18122. Rule of construction regarding health care providers

(1) In general

Subject to paragraph (3), the development, recognition, or implementation of any guideline or other standard under any Federal health care provision shall not be construed to establish the standard of care or duty of care owed by a health care provider to a patient in any medical malpractice or medical product liability action or claim.

(2) Definitions

For purposes of this section:

(A) Federal health care provision

The term "Federal health care provision" means any provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148), title I or subtitle B of title II of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–152), or title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).

(B) Health care provider

The term "health care provider" means any individual, group practice, corporation of health care professionals, or hospital—

(i) licensed, registered, or certified under Federal or State laws or regulations to provide health care services; or

(ii) required to be so licensed, registered, or certified but that is exempted by other statute or regulation.

(C) Medical malpractice or medical product liability action or claim

The term "medical malpractice or medical product liability action or claim" means a medical malpractice action or claim (as defined in section 11151(7) of this title) and includes a liability action or claim relating to a health care provider's prescription or provision of a drug, device, or biological product (as such terms are defined in section 321 of title 21 or section 262 of this title).

(D) State

The term "State" includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and any other commonwealth, possession, or territory of the United States.

(3) No preemption

Nothing in paragraph (1) or any provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148), title I or subtitle B of title II of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–152), or title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) shall be construed to preempt any State or common law governing medical professional or medical product liability actions or claims.

(Pub. L. 114–10, title I, §106(d), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 142.)


Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in pars. (2)(A) and (3), is Pub. L. 111–148, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 119. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 18001 of this title and Tables.

The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, referred to in pars. (2)(A) and (3), is Pub. L. 111–152, Mar. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1029. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2010 Amendment note set out under section 1305 of this title and Tables.

The Social Security Act, referred to in pars. (2)(A) and (3), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Titles XVIII and XIX of the Act are classified generally to subchapters XVIII (§1395 et seq.) and XIX (§1396 et seq.), respectively, of chapter 7 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, and not as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which comprises this chapter.

CHAPTER 158—SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS AND WOMEN

Sec.
18201.
Definitions.
18202.
Establishment of Pregnancy Assistance Fund.
18203.
Permissible uses of Fund.
18204.
Appropriations.

        

About This Section

42 U.S.C. § 18122 is part of Title 42 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 42 U.S.C. § 18122. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 18122

What does United States Code § 18122 cover?

Section 18122 ("Rule of construction regarding health care providers") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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Is this the official text of Us Code law?

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Sources & Verification

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