Governor declines proposed rule on health information exchange.

Proposed Rule Changes for Statewide Health Information Database Rejected by Governor

Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Image KFOR.

Oklahoma City – Proposed Rule Changes for Statewide Health Information Database Rejected by Governor

Senate Bill 1369, also known as the Health Information Act, was set to go into effect on July 1. The bill aimed to require healthcare providers to enter patient records into an online database, but the proposed rule changes by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority have been rejected by Governor Kevin Stitt.

What the Database Would Include

Healthcare professionals would be required to log various types of information into the database, such as the names of doctors and other health professionals who provided care, diagnoses, current medications prescribed, lab and x-ray results, past procedures, known allergies, immunization records, and hospital discharge records. Basic personal information like a patient’s name, address, and family phone contacts would also be included.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority believes that implementing this database would help reduce healthcare costs, improve care coordination, enhance patient experience, and support compliance with state and federal programs.

Controversy and Concerns

Hundreds of healthcare providers in Oklahoma argue that the database is a violation of patients’ rights and privacy. They have raised concerns about the security and confidentiality of the information stored in the database.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority assures that the healthcare exchange will be regulated by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and will undergo regular audits to ensure compliance with privacy and security standards.

Despite the controversy, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board of Directors approved administrative rules in March to implement the law. However, Governor Stitt has disapproved those rule changes.

OHCA is continuing to work with the Governor’s office, Legislature, the OHCA Board, and numerous stakeholders on the next steps in order to implement the health information exchange. We remain committed to fulfilling the requirements of SB 1369 and creating a streamlined, holistic healthcare approach for Oklahomans.

Oklahoma Health Care Authority