Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB775

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/8/23
• Refer: 12/8/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Medically accurate information.

Impact

The passage of AB775 is expected to influence state laws related to patient rights and healthcare standards significantly. By codifying the expectation that patients receive medically accurate information, the bill aims to protect patients from misinformation that could affect their health choices. The prohibition against requiring providers to give inaccurate information helps maintain the integrity of medical care. Furthermore, the bill imposes civil liabilities on those who violate these provisions, allowing patients or providers to seek compensatory and statutory damages for infringements of their rights.

Summary

Assembly Bill 775 establishes a framework that ensures patients have the right to receive medically accurate information from healthcare providers. The bill mandates that healthcare providers must provide this information during medical consultations, examinations, and treatments. Additionally, it states that healthcare providers have the obligation to refer patients to other licensed providers as needed. The legislation aims to promote informed decision-making among patients by solidifying their access to accurate medical data, which is defined as information verified by accepted medical standards or leading professional medical organizations.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding AB775 is its implications for employment within the healthcare sector. The bill specifically prohibits employment retribution against healthcare providers who assert their rights to share medically accurate information, raising concerns about how this may affect workplace dynamics and the obligations of healthcare employers. Critics of the bill may argue that while protecting patients' rights is essential, it could potentially create conflicts within medical institutions regarding the sharing of information and practices that could conflict with institutional policies. As such, the bill seeks to balance patient rights with the realities of employment in healthcare settings.