SRC-AXB, DPW C.S.H.B. 670 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 670
76R13480  CMR-DBy: Wise (Brown)
Veterans Affairs
5/4/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas veterans are required to pay a fee when requesting copies
of medical records to be included in an application for disability
benefits.  Applicants for other programs such as Aid to Dependent Families
with Dependent Children, Texas' Medicaid Program, and Federal Old Age and
Survivors Insurance, are eligible to receive free medical records.
C.S.H.B. 670 prohibits a fee from being charged to veterans for a health
record request, under certain conditions. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.H.B. 670 provides medical records to Texas veterans
without a fee, for certain purposes. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 161.202, Health and Safety Code, to prohibit a
fee from being charged for a health record request by certain patients who
seek to receive disability benefits under 38 U.S.C. Sections 1101 and 1501
et seq., as amended.  Provides that a health care provider or health
facility (provider) is not required to provide more than one complete
record for a patient requested under Subsection (a)(6) or (7) without a
charge.  Requires a provider to supplement a patient's record without a
charge if additional material is added to the record.  Provides that this
subsection does not affect the ability of a person to receive a medical or
mental health record under Subsections (a)(1)-(5). 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.



SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 161.202, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsection (d),
to provide that a provider is not required to provide more than one
complete record for a patient without a charge.  Requires a provider to
supplement a patient's record without a charge if additional material is
added to the record.  Provides that this subsection does not affect the
ability of a person to receive a medical or mental health record under
Subsections (a)(1)-(5).