The Montana Legislature's House Business and Labor Committee convened on February 28, 2025, to discuss House Bill 590, aimed at modernizing electronic health records (EHR) in the state. The bill seeks to require health carriers to establish application programming interfaces (APIs) to enhance the interoperability of EHR systems, allowing for better access to patient health information.

Representative Boblander, the bill's sponsor, emphasized the importance of interoperability, which enables patients and healthcare providers to share medical histories seamlessly. He noted that while significant progress has been made in adopting EHRs since their federal mandate over a decade ago, challenges remain in achieving full interoperability. The bill is designed to expedite this process and includes provisions for sensitive test results, allowing providers to withhold certain information for up to 72 hours to ensure proper communication with patients.

Supporters of the bill, including Adam Meyer from the Cicero Institute and Matt Kuntz from NAMI Montana, highlighted its potential to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce costs through standardized information exchange. They argued that the bill would facilitate better care coordination and enhance patient access to their medical records.

However, opponents raised concerns about the bill's timing and implementation. Drew Chuck from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana argued that the bill might rush the adoption of federal requirements that are not yet fully in place. He cautioned that the immediate implementation of certain provisions could lead to confusion and inefficiencies, suggesting that a more measured approach would be prudent.

The committee discussed the effective dates of the bill, with some members suggesting adjustments to clarify when specific provisions would take effect. Representative Boblander indicated a willingness to modify the language to address these concerns.

As the committee concluded its discussions, the fate of House Bill 590 remains uncertain, with further deliberations expected as lawmakers weigh the benefits of modernizing EHR systems against the potential challenges of rapid implementation.