House OKs Kosierowski medical test results bill
Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski April 7, 2025 | 4:31 PM
HARRISBURG, April 7 – Legislation that would balance a patient’s right to access their health information with the important role that medical professionals provide in helping patients understand their test results passed the state House of Representatives today, according to prime sponsor state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski.
“In today’s medical world, patients have immediate access to their test results as soon as the information is posted to their electronic health records – often at the same time their physician receives them. The goal of my bill is to reduce undue anxiety while ensuring patients have control over their own health care information,” said Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna.
The legislation would require providers to inform patients that they will be receiving their test results in their electronic health record, or that they can ask the provider to mail the results to them.
In the bill, pathology or radiology reports likely to show a finding of cancer, or tests that may reveal a serious genetic condition, could be delayed after they are finalized, unless the health care practitioner directs otherwise. This would allow time for the patient’s doctor to verify potentially alarming and upsetting results and provide appropriate counsel.
“My proposal strives for patients to receive difficult test results from their doctors first, and with appropriate context,” Kosierowski said.
House Bill 409 moves to the state Senate.