Relating to requiring the provision of notice by certain hospitals regarding patients' medical records.
Impact
If enacted, this bill will significantly impact hospital procedures related to how patients are informed about their medical records. By requiring hospitals to give advance notice, it emphasizes the importance of transparency in healthcare and the rights of patients regarding their medical information. Such regulations are expected to strengthen trust between healthcare providers and patients while ensuring that patients have adequate information regarding their health records.
Summary
House Bill 118 aims to enhance patient awareness regarding their medical records by mandating that hospitals provide written notice to patients or their legally authorized representatives about the potential disposal of their medical records. This notice should be delivered on or before the date of patient treatment unless an emergency situation arises. In the case of emergencies, the notice must be given as soon as reasonably practical afterwards. The intent of the bill is to ensure that patients are informed about the status of their medical records and the hospital's policies on record retention and disposal.
Contention
Although the bill seems straightforward in its objective, it highlights broader issues within healthcare regulation, including how hospitals manage sensitive patient information. Opponents may raise concerns about the potential administrative burden this requirement could impose on hospitals, particularly smaller facilities that may already struggle with compliance. Additionally, there may be debates on the effectiveness of such notifications, especially in emergency situations where immediate care is critical, potentially overlapping with patient welfare considerations.
Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, delivery, sale, and research of medical cannabis for medical use by patients with certain medical conditions and the licensing of medical cannabis organizations; authorizing fees.
Relating to an application for emergency detention, procedures regarding court-ordered mental health services, and certain rights of patients admitted to private mental hospitals and certain other mental health facilities.
Relating to health care practitioner authority regarding certain do-not-resuscitate orders, including the use of electronic copies and photographs of out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders.
Relating to the provision of certain behavioral health services, including intensive outpatient services and partial hospitalization services, under Medicaid.