Texas House Bill HB2459

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/19/11
• Introduced: 3/8/11
• Refer: 3/14/11
• Report Pass: 4/13/11

Caption

Relating to health care information submitted to the Department of State Health Services.

Impact

The implementation of HB2459 would significantly alter the landscape of how health care data is collected and managed at the state level. By mandating uniform data submission formats, the bill seeks to improve the validity and usability of health data, which is crucial for public health analysis and policy-making. However, the optional nature of participation for rural providers may create disparities in data availability, potentially affecting rural health policy development. Furthermore, with the discussed rules for third-party data sales, there are concerns regarding patient consent and privacy.

Summary

House Bill 2459 focuses on the submission of health care information to the Department of State Health Services. The bill outlines the requirements for healthcare providers regarding the collection of data needed for public health purposes. Healthcare providers are required to submit data in a standardized format and using specific coding systems to ensure consistency and manageability. Notably, the bill includes provisions that allow certain rural providers and hospitals to opt out of this data submission, provided they meet specific conditions outlined in the legislation.

Contention

A critical point of contention surrounding HB2459 is the section requiring providers to notify patients that their submitted data may be sold or distributed to third parties. This aspect raises substantial concerns among patient advocacy groups and privacy advocates, who argue that this could undermine patient trust in healthcare providers. The requirement for notice is seen as an inadequate safeguard for patient privacy, as many patients may not fully understand the implications of their data being sold. The tension between data utility for public health purposes and individual privacy rights is a key aspect of the discussion surrounding this bill.