Texas House Bill HB4000

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to a cardiac arrest registry for information on the incidence and causes of cardiac arrest among certain persons; providing an administrative penalty.

Impact

The implementation of HB 4000 is expected to provide valuable insights into cardiac arrest causes that may otherwise go unnoticed, offering a way to improve public health responses to such emergencies. By requiring timely reporting from physicians, the bill aims to create a database that could possibly inform future healthcare policies and initiatives, specifically tailored to address cardiac emergencies in younger demographics. Additionally, it includes provisions for the protection of personal information to ensure the confidentiality of affected individuals.

Summary

House Bill 4000 establishes a cardiac arrest registry in Texas, aimed at tracking the incidence and causes of cardiac arrest among individuals under 36 years of age. The registry will be maintained by The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, which will aggregate data submitted by physicians regarding incidents of cardiac arrest. Such information must include details about the individual, the circumstances leading to the cardiac arrest, and any relevant medical history, including COVID-19 positive status if applicable. This data collection is intended to assist in understanding cardiac arrest trends among younger populations.

Contention

Notable points of contention could arise surrounding the administrative penalties outlined in the bill for physicians who fail to comply with reporting requirements. Critics may argue that imposing financial penalties could deter physicians from participating in reporting, thus affecting the completeness of the data collected. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the level of detail required in the reports, particularly regarding sensitive information related to the individuals’ health that could raise privacy concerns.