Opinion ID: 1708176
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Misleading title and summary

Text: Opponent argues that the statement that [c]urrent Florida law restricts information available to patients related to investigations of adverse medical incidents is misleading. It argues that while there is no open-ended constitutional right to the information, there are existing methods to obtain this information. For example, patients in litigation can obtain redacted records of relevant adverse incidents, and patients can obtain trend information on adverse medical incidents in the state from the Agency for Health Care Administration. Additionally, opponent argues that the title Patients' Right to Know About Adverse Medical Incidents suggests that patients currently have no right to know about adverse medical incidents. It asserts that, to the contrary, patients can receive information relating to their own incident. Opponent's arguments are without merit. The summary of the amendment states that Florida law restricts information concerning adverse medical incidents. This language is consistent with opponent's own assertion that patients are entitled to receive information in only certain circumstances. By opponent's own admission, access to this information is restricted. The amendment creates a broader right to know about adverse medical incidents than currently exists.