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Free Access to Medical Records: Limiting Provider Fees for Patients.

This bill amends the HITECH Act to ensure individuals can generally obtain a copy of their protected health information (PHI) from healthcare providers at no cost. Fees are only permitted under specific, limited circumstances, such as requesting a duplicate copy within the same year or opting for a paper copy when a free electronic version is available online. This change aims to reduce financial barriers for citizens managing their health data.
Key points
Healthcare providers must generally give individuals a copy of their medical records (PHI) free of charge.
Fees can only be charged for duplicate requests within the same calendar year or for non-electronic copies if a free online version exists.
The free access requirement does not extend to copies requested by the individual's attorney.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_8964
Sponsor: Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
Process start date: 2024-07-09
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Medical Records Access Fairness Act of 2024

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_8964.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2024-07-09.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Healthcare providers must generally give individuals a copy of their medical records (PHI) free of charge.
  • Fees can only be charged for duplicate requests within the same calendar year or for non-electronic copies if a free online version exists.
  • The free access requirement does not extend to copies requested by the individual's attorney.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-25.

CATEGORIES

Health