Wisconsin bill would pave way for electronic exchange of patient data

Legislation to accommodate the electronic exchange of patient data between health facilities and systems will soon be introduced in the Wisconsin Legislature. The legislation addresses key barriers to patient data exchange contained in two statutes, one dealing with the rights of the mentally ill and another pertaining to the release of health information. Backers have drafted legislation and hope to get it passed in the forthcoming session of the Legislature that is expected to conclude by the end of March 2008.