Texas Senate Bill SB510

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 2/2/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 3/7/11
• Voted on by Senate: 3/17/11
• Refer: 2/17/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/10/11
• Report Pass: 3/7/11
• Voted on by House: 5/19/11
• Engrossed: 3/17/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/4/11
• Report Pass: 5/6/11
• Enrolled: 5/20/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to a voluntary statewide diabetes mellitus registry.

Impact

The bill is expected to have a significant impact on state public health laws by formalizing a structure for data collection concerning diabetes across various public health districts. It allows for monitoring trends in diabetes diagnoses, levels of control among diagnosed individuals, and the effectiveness of public health measures aimed at managing this chronic condition. Public health districts that choose to participate will be responsible for the costs associated with establishing and managing this registry, which can lead to more localized health interventions tailored to specific populations.

Summary

SB510 proposes the establishment of a voluntary statewide diabetes mellitus registry aimed at improving the tracking and management of diabetes among the population in Texas. The bill mandates that participating public health districts cooperate with the Department of State Health Services to create and maintain an electronic registry that collects data on patients' glycosylated hemoglobin levels based on laboratory tests conducted within the districts. This initiative is particularly targeted towards improving the understanding of diabetes prevalence, control levels, and associated healthcare costs within these districts.

Contention

Notably, SB510 includes provisions for patient confidentiality and offers the option for patients to opt out of having their personal health information included in the registry. This aspect could lead to discussions around patient privacy and the balance between public health benefits and individual rights. Critics might argue that relying on voluntary participation can limit the comprehensiveness of the data collected, thereby affecting the effectiveness of the registry in portraying a complete picture of diabetes management across the state.