Yesterday, House Bill 37, the Electronic Medical Records Act, sponsored by Rep. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), was successfully amended to include privacy protections and passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  The bill now heads to the Senate floor for a full vote.   

Last week we asked you to call your Senator and urge him or her to support the amendments. Thank you for speaking up for patient privacy!  If you haven't already called your Senator, please do so as soon as possible (505) 986 4600.

If House Bill 37 passes the Senate, it will then go back to the House for concurrence.

TAKE ACTION» Please call or email your Representative about House Bill 37, the Electronic Medical Records Act, and ask him or her to concur with the Senate on the privacy protection amendments. Click here for contact information »

Privacy is especially important in the health care context because the doctor-patient relationship is built on trust and confidentiality and because medical records include especially sensitive and intimate information.  The disclosure of the medical records may subject the patient to humiliation and discrimination, and may compromise the quality of medical care.  Without legislative protections, there will be no way for the average New Mexican to insure that her medical records remain confidential.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Government Access to Personal Medical Information, click here »

Download House Bill 37, the Electronic Medical Records Act, click here »