Tom Fahey writes in the Union Leader:
A bill that would give patients specific privacy rights in electronic medical records is drawing opposition from hospitals and health providers.
The bill due for a vote tomorrow tries to balance privacy concerns against the move to electronic medical records, which the health industry says will increase health care quality and lower costs.
Sponsored by Rep. Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua, and privacy advocate Rep. Neal Kurk, R-Weare, HB 1587 would allow individuals to block access to their medical records, and to inspect them to see who’s been snooping in their files. It would also allow a patient to block the transfer of a medical file to his or her doctor, and prevent its use in marketing or fundraising efforts.
The health outfits are concerned that the restrictions exceed federal privacy laws, and will discourage large and small practices from moving ahead with the kind of electronic medical record-keeping that was a priority for Gov. John Lynch’s Citizens Health Initiative.
Full story – Union Leader