1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I’m writing to urge your support for legislation mandating interoperable medical record sharing among all Texas health systems. This will improve patient safety and continuity of care while dramatically reducing redundant diagnostic testing. Redundant testing When providers lack access to prior imaging and lab results, they often reorder tests “just to be sure.” National studies estimate 15% of advanced imaging and 5% of routine labs are unnecessary repeats. In Texas (30 million people), that equates to about 1.5 million duplicate imaging studies and 10 million extra lab tests annually. Cost impact At roughly $500 per imaging study, Texas spends $750 million on unnecessary scans each year; at $20 per lab test, redundant labs cost $200 million—nearly $1 billion in wasted spending. Interoperability benefits A statewide, standards‑based health information exchange (HIE) would give every provider real‑time access to patients’ diagnostic histories, eliminate unnecessary repeats, enhance care coordination, and improve patient safety by avoiding duplicate radiation and blood draws. Legislative recommendations 1. Require all hospitals, clinics, labs, and imaging centers to join a certified HIE within two years. 2. Mandate use of national standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR) for seamless data exchange. 3. Ensure HIPAA‑compliant privacy and security. 4. Offer incentives (e.g., enhanced reimbursements) for early adopters and penalties for noncompliance. 5. Empower the Health and Human Services Commission to monitor compliance, track savings, and report annually. By cutting nearly $1 billion in redundant testing, we can redirect resources to preventive care, rural health, and mental‑health services, lowering premiums and improving outcomes for all Texans. Thank you for considering this vital reform.