Medical records access bill advances in Congress

Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the **Medical Records Access Fairness Act** in early March, legislation designed to eliminate fees patients face when requesting copies of their medical records.[5] The bill, which has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, would require healthcare providers to grant patients free access to their protected health information at least once annually.[5]

The legislation addresses a significant financial burden for patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses or lengthy medical histories, who can face thousands of dollars in copying and processing fees.[5] Under the bill's provisions, healthcare providers would be prohibited from charging patients for accessing their records, with limited exceptions for duplicate copies requested within the same calendar year or for non-electronic versions of information already available online.[11] The bill also allows patients to request that their information be transmitted to other healthcare providers at no cost.[11]

The proposal has garnered support from patient advocacy organizations, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, which have endorsed the measure as essential to ensuring equitable healthcare access.[5] Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH) is listed as a cosponsor of the legislation.[5] If enacted, the bill would take effect 180 days after becoming law, with the Secretary of Health and Human Services tasked with implementing regulations within six months.[11]

The bill represents part of a broader congressional effort to improve healthcare affordability and transparency, aligning with ongoing House Energy and Commerce Committee initiatives to lower costs for American patients and streamline healthcare administration.