SENATE BILL 309

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Sue Wilson Beffort

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; ESTABLISHING THE HEALTH RECORD INTEROPERABILITY COMMISSION TO CONVENE STAKEHOLDERS AND DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THE INTEROPERABILITY OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS ACROSS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS STATEWIDE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] HEALTH RECORD INTEROPERABILITY COMMISSION--ESTABLISHMENT--MEMBERSHIP--REPORTING.--

          A. By August 1, 2015, the secretary of health shall convene a "health record interoperability commission" to develop a plan for implementing, by January 1, 2017, an interoperable electronic health record system among health care providers statewide.

          B. By November 1, 2015, the commission shall make a written report, and upon request an oral report, of its findings and provide the report to the governor, the legislative health and human services committee and the legislative finance committee. The report shall include:

                (1) a definition for "interoperability" that provides for the practicable achievement of an information technology infrastructure that provides health care providers statewide with access to a patient's electronic health records from as wide an extent of the patient's other health care providers as possible;

                (2) the identification of a minimum data set that should be contained in an electronic health record to allow meaningful use of electronic health records; and

                (3) recommendations for:

                     (a) achieving maximum cooperation among health care providers in supplying data to the interoperable electronic health record system and accessing the system when providing health care. These recommendations shall include a recommendation as to the most effective incentives or penalties to ensure timely access to the defined minimum data set;

                     (b) information technology system and system operator capabilities;

                     (c) funding for full establishment, integration and operation of the interoperable electronic health records system. These recommendations shall include recommendations for ensuring system operator solvency and oversight for the ongoing viability of the system;

                     (d) removing financial and telecommunications access barriers to ensure that health care providers that are single- or small-group proprietors or that are located in rural and frontier areas are able to participate fully;

                     (e) increasing interoperable electronic health records system efficiency and quality of outcomes;

                     (f) improving health care providers' ability to avoid adverse events; and

                     (g) timely access to information from all of a patient's health care providers.

          C. At a minimum, the secretary of health shall invite to participate as members of the commission representatives from the following entities:

                (1) the human services department;

                (2) the office of superintendent of insurance;

                (3) the interagency benefits advisory committee;

                (4) the corrections department;

                (5) an entity with experience in operating a health information exchange in the state;

                (6) New Mexico health care provider licensing boards;

                (7) health insurers operating in the state;

                (8) the New Mexico primary care association;

                (9) the New Mexico hospital association; and

                (10) the New Mexico pharmacists association.

          D. As used in this section, "health care provider" means:

                (1) a hospital or other health facility licensed by the department of health;

                (2) an individual or group of individuals licensed, certified or otherwise authorized to deliver health care in the ordinary course of business; and

                (3) a laboratory.

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