Bill · H.R. 4527· House(119-HR-4527)
Health Records Enhancement Act
- Introduced
- 7/17/2025
- Last activity
- 12/19/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Sponsored by
- Raul Ruiz
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Health Records Enhancement Act," aims to update the health records of deceased veterans. It requires the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to allow for the addition of observed health conditions and other relevant information. This supplementation can be done by a designated individual or, if none is named, by an immediate family member. The secretaries must also create a process for individuals to make such designations. This update process must happen within one year of the Act's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+7
The bill provides veterans and their families a mechanism to ensure their medical history is fully documented.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill enhances the transparency and completeness of medical records for deceased veterans.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+5
The bill enhances the accuracy of veterans' medical histories by allowing for the supplementation of health records.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Updating Health Records: The bill allows for the health records of a deceased enrollee to be updated with observed health conditions and other relevant health information (Section 2(a)). This ensures that a veteran's medical history can include important information that may have been observed after the fact.
-
Designated Representation: An individual can be specifically designated to provide these updates (Section 2(a)(1)). This gives veterans the power to choose exactly who can supplement their medical history.
-
Family Inclusion: If no one is designated, immediate family members—such as a spouse, parent, brother, sister, or adult child—can provide the information (Section 2(a)(2) and Section 2(d)(1)). This provides a way for families to ensure a complete medical record.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Modification of Existing Data: The bill specifies that any updates can only supplement the records and cannot modify the information already contained in them (Section 2(c)). This means that any existing information in the health records cannot be changed or corrected through this specific process.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+5
- 12/19/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 7/17/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Gus BilirakisRepublican · Florida