DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 657 Original 2018 Regular Session Simon
Abstract: Establishes the implementation of an interoperable electronic health records system for
all hospitals and healthcare providers.
Proposed law requires all hospitals and healthcare providers to implement an interoperable electronic
health records system.
Proposed law provides for the secretary of the La. Dept. of Health (LDH) and the Health Care
Information Technology and Infrastructure Collaborative to develop a plan to implement the
interoperable system.
Proposed law provides for the duties of the Health Care Information Technology and Infrastructure
Collaborative in advising the secretary of LDH.
Proposed law provides as interoperable electronic health records requirements:
(1) The electronic health record must be a qualified electronic health record.
(2) The electronic health record must be certified by the Office of the National Coordinator pursuant
to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act).
(3) The electronic health record must meet the standards established according to the HITECH Act
as applicable.
(4) The electronic health record must have the ability to generate information on clinical quality
measures and other measures reported under the HITECH Act.
(5) The electronic health record system must be connected to a state-certified health information
organization either directly or through a connection facilitated by a state-certified health data
intermediary.
Proposed law defines "certified electronic health record technology", "Health Care Information
Technology and Infrastructure Collaborative""HITECH Act", interoperable electronic health record",
"qualified electronic health record", and "information blocking".
(Adds R.S. 40:1168.1-1168.7)