The NJ State Bar Association expresses concerns about the clarifications offered in S2253/A3656 and urges further review of this bill to ensure its conformance with federal law, and its fairness in application to all parties. The bill limits the fees charged for copies of medical and billing records. The NJSBA supports the underlying aim of this bill to clarify access to these records, but recommends review of the bill to (1) ensure conformance with the federal Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), (2) clarify the universe of records covered in the bill, and (3) create fairness in access to these records among all of the parties to avoid offsetting costs to the parties not covered under this bill, but entitled to access of these documents.
For these reasons, the NJSBA urges reconsideration of this bill and urges you to vote no.