Personalized Health Information Act of 2006
Latest action (29 Sep 2006): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 6289, the Personalized Health Information Act of 2006, would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a program offering financial incentives to physicians and other health care providers who help establish and use "qualifying personal health records" (QPHRs) for patients. These are web-based, patient-controlled records meeting specific security, privacy, interoperability, and messaging standards, designed to give patients access to their health information, improve communication with providers, support medication and care adherence, and allow (with safeguards) de-identified data to be used for public health research.
The program would primarily affect Medicare beneficiaries and patients covered by other participating health plans, as well as the physicians who treat them. Qualifying physicians would receive at least $2 per year per qualifying patient, paid from a new "PHR Incentive Fund" financed by contributions from Medicare, drug and device manufacturers, and other participating entities. The bill also creates a consumer protection board to recommend privacy and messaging standards, and requires annual studies on the program's effects on patient engagement, health outcomes, and costs.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Patrick Kennedy on September 29, 2006, and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It received no further action or vote before the end of the 109th Congress and did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Personalized Health Information Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to provide financial incentives for the establishment of interactive qualifying personal health records for Medicare and other patients and their health care providers in order to: (1) provide patients access to and control over their personal health data and information and educational information; and (2) make available to authorized health care providers a more accurate minimum data set of patient information. Directs that under the program each qualified physician receives an incentive payment for each qualifying patient.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish a list of qualifying physicians who participate in Medicare and have received such payments; and (2) take steps to educate Medicare beneficiaries and providers and other patients about the benefits of qualifying personal health records.
Sets forth requirements for a qualified personal health record, including that such record: (1) is controlled solely by the patient; (2) meets minimum security standards; (3) complies with interoperability data standards; (4) is capable of sending patient-specific patient education, reminders, and clinical messages to the patient; and (5) is capable of providing de-identified data for public health analysis and research purposes.
Requires the Secretary to: (1) set minimum security, privacy, and data use standards for such health records; (2) establish a consumer protection board to recommend standards and procedures to the Secretary; and (3) establish a PHR Incentive Fund to make incentive payments. Provides that such Fund shall accept contributions from: (1) the Secretary for Medicare beneficiaries; (2) drug manufacturers for messages regarding medical adherence programs; and (3) other Fund partners.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6289 do?
- H.R. 6289, the Personalized Health Information Act of 2006, would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a program offering financial incentives to physicians and other health care providers who help establish and use "qualifying personal health records" (QPHRs) for patients. These are web-based, patient-controlled records meeting specific security, privacy, interoperability, and messaging standards, designed to give patients access to their health information, improve communication with providers, support medication and care adherence, and allow (with safeguards) de-identified data to be used for public health research. The program would primarily affect Medicare beneficiaries and patients covered by other participating health plans, as well as the physicians who treat them. Qualifying physicians would receive at least $2 per year per qualifying patient, paid from a new "PHR Incentive Fund" financed by contributions from Medicare, drug and device manufacturers, and other participating entities. The bill also creates a consumer protection board to recommend privacy and messaging standards, and requires annual studies on the program's effects on patient engagement, health outcomes, and costs. The bill was introduced by Rep. Patrick Kennedy on September 29, 2006, and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It received no further action or vote before the end of the 109th Congress and did not become law.
- Has H.R. 6289 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Sep 2006, H.R. 6289 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6289?
- H.R. 6289 was sponsored by Rep. Patrick Kennedy [D-RI1, 1995-2010] (Democrat-RI), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6289?
- Introduced (29 Sep 2006).
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