Personalized Health Information Act of 2007
Latest action (7 Mar 2007): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 1368, the Personalized Health Information Act of 2007, would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a federal program encouraging use of "qualifying personal health records" (QPHRs)—secure, patient-controlled, web-based electronic health records that patients can access, share with providers, and use to receive health-related messages. Physicians who use QPHRs with their patients according to specified requirements would receive incentive payments, initially at least $3 per qualifying patient per year, for three years (extendable to five). Payments would come from a new PHR Incentive Fund financed by contributions from Medicare, drug and device manufacturers, and other participating "Fund partners."
The bill would primarily affect Medicare beneficiaries and other patients whose health plans participate, along with their physicians and other health care providers. It sets privacy, security, and data-sharing standards for QPHRs, requires breach notification, creates a consumer protection board, and limits commercial messaging to patients. It also directs HHS to educate patients and providers about personal health records and to conduct annual studies of the program's effects on health outcomes and costs.
The bill was introduced on March 7, 2007, by Rep. Patrick Kennedy and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote 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 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to provide financial incentives for the use of interactive qualifying personal health records by Medicare and other patients and their health care providers in order to: (1) provide patients (or their authorized representatives) access to and control over their personal health data and information and educational information; (2) make available to authorized health care providers a more accurate minimum data set of patient information at all points of care; and (3) accomplish other specified objectives.
Requires that under the program each qualified physician receive an incentive payment for each qualifying patient.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) publish online 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 web-based personal health record, including that such record: (1) is controlled solely by the patient; (2) meets minimum security standards; (3) is capable of exchanging standards-based clinical and patient data with other health data sources and users; (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. Authorizes such Fund to 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. 1368 do?
- H.R. 1368, the Personalized Health Information Act of 2007, would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a federal program encouraging use of "qualifying personal health records" (QPHRs)—secure, patient-controlled, web-based electronic health records that patients can access, share with providers, and use to receive health-related messages. Physicians who use QPHRs with their patients according to specified requirements would receive incentive payments, initially at least $3 per qualifying patient per year, for three years (extendable to five). Payments would come from a new PHR Incentive Fund financed by contributions from Medicare, drug and device manufacturers, and other participating "Fund partners." The bill would primarily affect Medicare beneficiaries and other patients whose health plans participate, along with their physicians and other health care providers. It sets privacy, security, and data-sharing standards for QPHRs, requires breach notification, creates a consumer protection board, and limits commercial messaging to patients. It also directs HHS to educate patients and providers about personal health records and to conduct annual studies of the program's effects on health outcomes and costs. The bill was introduced on March 7, 2007, by Rep. Patrick Kennedy and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote and did not become law.
- Has H.R. 1368 become law?
- Not yet. As of 7 Mar 2007, H.R. 1368 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1368?
- H.R. 1368 was sponsored by Rep. Patrick Kennedy [D-RI1, 1995-2010] (Democrat-RI), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1368?
- Introduced (7 Mar 2007).
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