HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06271989 - 1.36 S L 3-036
�..-------- ..oma
TO: Board of Supervisors - -
FROM: Phil Batchelor, County Administrator -.
o +ryr,�s111 �S
as e
DATE: June 20, 1989
�Osr'`1 co
SUBJECT: LEGISLATION: AB 651 (Floyd)
Specific Request(s) or Recommendations(s) & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt an OPPOSE position on AB 651 by Assemblyman Floyd which would reduce the amount a hospital can
charge a patient for a copy of a patient's medical records.
BACKGROUND:
Existing law authorizes the inspection and copying of a patient's records by the patient's attorney or representative.
Existing law generally authorizes the custodian of the records to charge a reasonable fee for making the records
available, including reasonable clerical costs incurred in locating and making the records available. Existing law
limits these clerical costs to a maximum rate of$16 per hour per person, computed on the basis of$4 per quarter
hour or fraction thereof.
Assemblyman Floyd has introduced AB 651 which would reduce the maximum rate at which these clerical costs
could be billed to $8 per hour per person, computed on the basis of$2 per quarter hour.
Eight dollars an hour is equivalent to a monthly salary of$1296($8 X 162 hours per month),substantially less than
the actual clerical salaries paid by the County,particularly when the costs of benefits are included. While a rate of
$16 per hour may not be entirely defensible,$8 per hour is far below the actual cost of producing a patient's medical
records. It is therefore recommended that the Board of Supervisors oppose AB 651, a position recommended by
the County Counsel's Office.
AB 651 is on referral to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Continued on attachment: NO Signature: 114e LWZ,9
jr Recommendation of County Administrator Recommendation of Board Committee
_ Approve Other:
Signature(s):
Action of Board on: .Tune 27, 1989 Approved as Recommended x Other
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
X Unanimous (Absent -- ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain:
County Administrator
Attested June 27, 1989
cc: County Counsel Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board
Health Services Director of Supervisors and County Administrator
Assemblyman Richard Floyd C
Les Spahnn, SRJ. Jackson, Barish &Associates By � Deputy Clerk
CLVM:eh(ab651 bo)