July 3, 2007

Confusion Over Health Privacy Protections Create Frustration

Government studies released in the last few months show the frustration is widespread, an unintended consequence of the 1996 law. Hipaa was designed to allow Americans to take their health insurance coverage with them when they changed jobs, with provisions to keep medical information confidential. But new studies have found that some health care providers apply Hipaa regulations overzealously, leaving family members, caretakers, public health and law enforcement authorities stymied in their efforts to get information.

Keeping Patients’ Details Private, Even From Kin, New York Times, July 3, 2007.