Connecticut House Bill HB05737

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/13
• Refer: 1/23/13

Caption

An Act Concerning The Use Of Patient Health Care Information In The All-payer Claims Database Program.

Impact

The proposed changes are significant as they amend Title 19a of the general statutes, which governs health care practices in relation to patient information. By requiring explicit communication and the option to refuse, the bill seeks to align the APCD program with broader privacy protection standards and improve the trust and transparency between health care providers and patients. This could potentially lead to increased patient participation in their health care decisions and improved health outcomes as patients feel more secure in how their information is utilized.

Summary

House Bill 05737 aims to enhance patient privacy concerning the use of patient health care information within the All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) program. This bill mandates health care providers to inform patients at the time of service that their health care data may be included in the APCD. Furthermore, the legislation provides patients with the opportunity to refuse consent for their information to be used in this database, which is crucial for maintaining confidentiality and providing patients with greater control over their health information.

Contention

While the bill aims to protect patient privacy, it may also lead to discussions about the balance between data collection for public health analysis and the individual rights of patients. Opponents of similar measures often argue that stringent privacy laws can hinder the efficacy of health data collection crucial for understanding health trends and driving policy decisions. Therefore, the conversation around HB05737 may also include considerations regarding health informatics and the potential impact on healthcare research and administrative efficiency.