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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 24, 2019 03:39 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Barry J. Jozwiak |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Amending the Patient Test Result Information Act |
| The Patient Test Result Information Act (Act 112 of 2018) requires imaging entities to directly notify the patient if the test results indicate significant abnormalities. While there are obviously good intentions for the act, there have been conflicting interpretations of the law's applicability, so as a result, some clarifications are needed. My bill will amend the law by exempting specific cardiac testing from the notification requirements. Cardiovascular imaging results aren't necessarily as straightforward as other imaging studies, such as chest X-rays or abdominal ultrasounds, where potentially cancerous nodules or masses might be identified, and direct patient notification would be beneficial. Imaging of cardiovascular issues such as heart disease often present as progressive deterioration of the organ over longer periods of time. Furthermore, subtle deterioration in cardiac performance may mean something significant with one patient, but insignificant with another, so the test results must be reviewed in the context of the patient's medical history, not just the images themselves. For these reasons, I believe it is necessary to exclude specific cardiac testing from the patient notification requirements of Act 112 of 2018. The goal is to prevent patients from undue anxiety and additional testing, and improve patients understanding of potential health issues after their doctor can appropriately interpret and explain the test results. This bill has the support of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Cardiology. Please join me in supporting Pennsylvania's cardiology patients. |
Introduced as HB2103