Bill > HB285

This bill aims to enhance Alaska's statewide electronic health information exchange system, which allows for the secure sharing of patient health records between authorized healthcare providers. Key provisions include clarifying that the system will exchange health records and "related data," meaning more than just medical charts can be shared. It also designates a specific entity, referred to as the "designee," to manage the system's operations, including developing a statewide program to connect electronic health records, providing support and training to participants, and ensuring compliance with privacy laws. The bill expands the advisory or governing body of the designee to include representatives from behavioral health providers and adds a member to represent other community interests. Furthermore, it clarifies that the department and the designee can accept various public and private funds and equipment, and that the department can enter into contracts. The bill also strengthens confidentiality and security standards for the system, allowing for patient records to be released for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, public health activities, or with individual authorization, while prohibiting release for unrelated marketing purposes. Patients will also have the right to opt out of the system, authorize the distribution of their records, be notified of privacy violations, and view audit reports of who has accessed their records. Finally, the bill clarifies the definition of "system" to exclude the technical infrastructure owned by participants and defines "designee" as the entity responsible for managing the system.

Health and Social Services

Health & Social Services (House)

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB285