BILL OF RIGHTS-HOMELESS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Carol Ammons and 28 co-sponsors

Act 854 enhances access to mammography by allowing remote interpretation via telemedicine, ensuring quality standards, and improving patient communication of results.

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1429, now known as Act 854, aims to enhance accessibility to mammography services while ensuring that quality standards are maintained for facilities providing these services. The legislation amends existing laws concerning the accreditation of mammography facilities, particularly in relation to the use of telemedicine.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces several significant changes to the current standards for mammography services:

Telecommunication Standards:

Interpreting physicians are no longer required to be physically present at the facility. Instead, they must be immediately available via telecommunication to interpret diagnostic mammograms.

Patient Waiver:

Patients must sign a waiver acknowledging that diagnostic evaluations conducted via telemedicine may have limitations compared to in-person evaluations.

Results Delivery:

Facilities are required to provide patients with the results of their diagnostic evaluations before they leave the facility.

Quality Standards:

The Secretary of the Department of Health is tasked with establishing quality standards for mammography facilities in accordance with the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992. The standards for interpreting physicians cannot be more stringent than those outlined in this federal law.

Rule Modifications:

The Department of Health is directed to modify existing rules to reflect these changes, particularly regarding the requirement for interpreting physicians to be on-site.

Affected Parties

Patients: The bill is designed to improve access to mammography services for patients, particularly in rural or underserved areas where immediate access to interpreting physicians may be limited.

Healthcare Facilities: Facilities that provide mammography services will need to adapt to the new standards and ensure compliance with telecommunication requirements.

Healthcare Providers: Physicians interpreting mammograms will have more flexibility in how they provide services, potentially increasing the efficiency of care delivery.

Procedural Timeline

Introduced: February 6, 2025

Amendments: The bill underwent several amendments, including significant changes on April 7, 2025, which were adopted and incorporated into the final version.

Passed: The bill was passed by both the House and Senate in early April 2025 and was transmitted to the Governor's Office for enrollment.

Enacted: The bill was officially enacted as Act 854 on April 17, 2025.

Conclusion

Act 854 represents a significant step towards increasing accessibility to mammography services while ensuring that quality standards are upheld. By allowing for telecommunication in the interpretation of mammograms, the legislation aims to improve patient care and streamline the process for healthcare providers.

Bill