Connecticut House Bill HB05923

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 1/18/23

Caption

An Act Concerning Patient Access To Medical Records.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would directly affect Section 20-7c of the general statutes. The most notable impact would be the requirement for healthcare providers and related entities to charge patients, their attorneys, or legal representatives the minimum fees as stipulated. This could lead to an increase in compliance burdens for medical institutions who will need to reevaluate their charging practices for medical records. Additionally, it could establish a precedent for more consumer-friendly healthcare legislation aimed at reducing financial barriers to accessing essential health information.

Summary

House Bill 05923 proposes significant amendments to the existing laws governing patient access to their medical records. The bill specifically aims to ensure that patients are charged the lowest possible fee allowed under both state and federal legislation when requesting their medical records. This change is intended to enhance patient rights and improve the affordability of accessing personal health information, which many argue is crucial for patient empowerment and informed decision-making regarding their healthcare.

Contention

One potential point of contention surrounding HB 05923 may revolve around the definition of 'affordable' and how it relates to the actual costs incurred by medical facilities in providing access to these records. While proponents of the bill argue that it essentially protects patients from being overcharged, opponents may raise concerns about the feasibility for healthcare providers to operate under such constraints. Another area of debate could focus on the logistics of enforcement and the potential for disputes over fees charged for medical records.