House Bill No. 1576 mandates the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to provide Medicaid coverage for rapid whole genome sequencing (WGS) under specific conditions. The bill defines WGS as an investigation of the entire human genome to identify disease-causing genetic changes, with results returned within a specified timeframe. Coverage is available for beneficiaries under 21 years of age who have a complex or acute illness of unknown origin and are receiving care in a high-acuity hospital setting. The bill outlines medical necessity criteria that must be met for coverage, including the need for timely identification of a molecular diagnosis to guide treatment.

Additionally, the bill allows the Chief Operating Officer of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to expand coverage based on new medical evidence and establishes guidelines for the use of genetic data generated from WGS in scientific research, contingent upon patient consent. It emphasizes the protection of genetic data under HIPAA regulations and grants patients or their guardians the right to access testing results and rescind consent for data use at any time. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions for the necessary administrative actions to implement these changes.