Texas Senate Bill SB1548

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to health care data collection requirements and a feasibility study on the use of the data to create a database of amounts billed for certain health care services.

Impact

The implementation of SB1548 is anticipated to enhance consumer awareness about health care costs, empowering individuals to make informed decisions regarding their medical care. By categorizing billing information according to standardized medical codes, the proposed database could serve as a critical resource for both consumers and providers. This bill potentially marks a significant shift in health care transparency laws in Texas, aligning more closely with national efforts to regulate and standardize health care billing practices.

Summary

SB1548 addresses the collection of health care data in Texas by establishing requirements for data collection and conducting a feasibility study on the creation of a database regarding amounts billed for health care services. This initiative aims to improve transparency in health care costs by making billing information more accessible to the public and health care providers, effectively utilizing data gathered from multiple health care facilities across the state. The bill outlines specific criteria for the types of facilities included in the data collection, such as hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.

Contention

While SB1548 has garnered support for its transparency efforts, there are points of contention regarding data privacy and the cost implications for health care providers required to report such data. Stakeholders may have concerns about the operational burden this legislation could impose on smaller facilities, as well as implications for patient confidentiality with the publication of billing data. As discussions continue, balancing transparency with the protection of sensitive health information will be crucial.