Bars Record Fees for Benefit Claims
District of Columbia · B26-0167 · Introduced Mar 5, 2025
Why it matters
People applying for needs-based benefits could get copies of their own medical records without paying a fee. Those costs could otherwise make it harder to apply.
What it does
- Bars health care providers from charging a fee for personal medical records
- Covers records requested to support a Social Security Act claim
- Also covers requests tied to federal or D.C. needs-based benefit programs
Status
Latest action (2026-12-03): Public Hearing
About this bill
Would bar health care providers from charging fees for a patient's own medical records used to support certain federal or D.C. benefit claims.
Personal Medical Record Fee Exemption Amendment Act of 2025
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Benefit applicants and patient advocates would likely say free records remove a cost barrier to getting aid. Records are needed to prove eligibility.
💬 The case against
Some health care providers would likely say the fees cover the cost of copying and staff time. They may also say the exemption shifts costs onto them.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this state bill are at the source link.
News
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