Personal Health Information Act of 2009

Legislation Introduced Adds PHR Requirements to Meaningful Use Criteria

Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) introduced legislation that would enhance the "meaningful use" requirement to include PHRs allowing patients access to their health information. The legislation would require ONC to develop guidelines for making EHRs compatible with PHRs to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentives as "meaningful users" under the HITECH Act. If passed, the PHRs would be required to include a number of features, such as:

• A medical history including major diagnoses and procedures that are updated if any changes occur;
• Laboratory results;
• Medication lists;
• Tools for patient-provider communication;
• Automated appointment and care reminders;
• Health self-management and education tools;
• Privacy, security, and consent-management tools;
• Continuity of care documents and related clinical database architecture documents;
• Portability between providers;
• Usability for patient intake;
• Access controlled by patient or their authorized representative