HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2763

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to electronic health records.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the widespread use of electronic health records systems would contribute to greater efficiency and cost savings in the practice of medicine in Hawaii. In addition to more effective storage and transmission of medical records and patient data, interoperable electronic health record systems would contribute to greater efficiency and savings in medical billing and claims, both for private and government payors.

     The legislature further finds that the medical records systems and claims used by agencies within the department of health, particularly the alcohol and drug abuse division, are incompatible with the electronic data systems of many of their behavioral health providers.  This leads to providers having to enter their electronic patient notes twice: once into systems that are compatible with federal claims systems and again into the State's outdated system.  Many of the problems experienced by health care providers would be remedied by directing the department of health to upgrade to an electronic system that meets the federal health data system standards for registration and billing that are established by the Health Information Privacy and Portability Act of 1996, also known as HIPAA.

     The legislature also finds that President Obama's administration has established electronic medical records development as a cornerstone of national health care reform, and made federal economic recovery and stimulus funds available for projects that create health care savings by implementing electronic medical data systems.  In addition to efficiency gains for state health agencies and health providers, a robust health records information system could be part a national health information network in which patient information, stripped of personal identification, could be used for national health research projects, impartial assessments of drugs' effectiveness, and other data-mining possibilities.

     The purpose of this Act is to require agencies within the department of health that administer mental health, mental illness, drug addiction, and alcoholism treatment to implement HIPAA-compliant electronic patient registration and billing systems.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 334, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§334-    Electronic health records.  (a)  By no later than           , the department shall implement electronic health records systems for the transmission of patient health information and medical data between the department and persons that provide services or treatment pursuant to this chapter.  Electronic health records systems shall:

     (1)  Meet recognized interoperability standards for patient registration and billing;

     (2)  Comply with standards and formats established by the Health Information Privacy and Portability Act of 1996; and

     (3)  Recognize the validity of electronic signatures, including biometric signatures.

     (b)  For the purposes of this section, "interoperability" means the ability to communicate and exchange data accurately, effectively, securely, and consistently with different information technology systems, software applications, and networks in various settings, and exchange data so that the clinical or operational purpose and meaning of the patient health information and medical data are preserved and unaltered."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Electronic Health Records

 

Description:

Requires agencies within the department of health that administer mental health, mental illness, drug addiction, and alcoholism treatment to implement HIPAA-compliant electronic health records systems.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.