WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton is proposing ways to lessen the burden of surprise medical bills for Americans covered by President Barack Obama's health care law.

The Democratic presidential candidate says she would require plans to provide three sick visits a year without counting toward a patient's annual deductible. She says many Americans are forced to pay a significant cost out-of-pocket if they get sick because average deductibles have more than doubled during the past decade.

Clinton would offer a refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 for families not eligible for Medicare for excessive out-of-pocket health care costs.

Her plan also aims to protect Americans from unexpected medical bills and help states prevent insurance companies from imposing excessive rate increases.