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119-hr-7790119th CongressWALLET

Medical Records Access Fairness Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]

Introduced

Summary

No-cost access to medical records would be the default rule for people requesting copies or plain-language summaries of their protected health information. The bill would narrowly limit when providers can charge fees, allow cross-provider transmission in usable formats, and require HHS to write implementing rules.

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  • Patients and caregivers: Would get copies of PHI or summaries at no charge except for duplicate requests made in the same calendar year or for non-electronic copies when the provider already posts the records for free on an online portal.
  • Health care providers: Could charge fees only in those narrow situations and may send records to another provider in any form and format that is readily usable by the receiving provider.
  • Attorneys: Lawyers representing individuals would not be covered by the no-cost requirement for copies.
  • Federal regulators: The Secretary of Health and Human Services would have 6 months to issue regulations and the rule would apply to requests made 180 days after enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Free access to your medical records

If enacted, you would be able to get most copies, summaries, or explanations of your protected health information without a fee. A provider could charge only when you ask for a duplicate copy or duplicate summary already given to you in the same calendar year, or when you ask for a non-electronic copy of information the provider already made available to you for free on its online portal. Providers would not have to give a free copy to your attorney. If you expressly request it, a provider could give your records to another health care provider in any form and format the receiving provider can readily use. These rules would apply to requests made on or after the date that is 180 days after enactment and would apply when access is provided under 45 C.F.R. §164.524.

HHS must write rules within six months

If enacted, the Department of Health and Human Services would have six months after enactment to issue or amend regulations to implement the new access, fee, and record-transfer requirements in the bill. The requirement sets a deadline for rulemaking and does not itself provide money to HHS.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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