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Who cares
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Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to health
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to patient notification regarding the availability of medical records
Purpose
To make patients aware that certain medical records may be made available to them for a particular length of time.
Summary of provision
This bill amends section 2803 of the Public Health Law to provide notification to patients of the availability of their medical records for a particular length of time. Such notification shall notify patients that medical records are available to patients for six years at a reasonable charge for reproduction and that a patient cannot be denied access to such records because of an inability to pay such charge. Such notification shall be provided to each patient at the time such patient comes under the care of such health care provider.
Existing law
Currently no such notification exists.
Justification
A patient's knowledge of their rights to have access to their medical record is a concern that must be addressed. Many patients are unaware of their right to request and receive a copy of the medical record without reservations. In addition they are unaware that current New York State Law requires doctors and hospitals to store such records for six (6) years. After such time medical records are routinely destroyed, leaving patients without access to personal medical information. This bill will ensure that patients, if they wish, can obtain a copy of their medical records containing vital information.
Legislative history
S.4658 (2007-2008) S.5018 (2005-2006)
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.