ACLU: House I.T. Bill Lacks Privacy

HDM Breaking News, June 27, 2008

Health care information technology legislation introduced in recent days in the House does not adequately protect patient privacy, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Leaders of the Energy & Commerce Committee introduced H.R. 6357 this week, and the health subcommittee approved it on June 26. The full committee, as well as two other House committees, now will consider the bill.

But the legislation lacks provisions to enable patients to review their own files and make corrections, decide who has access to personal health information, or simply opt out, according to ACLU.

“You know how hard it is to get yourself or a loved one to the doctor’s office,” Caroline Fredrickson, director of ACLU’s legislative office in Washington, said in a statement. “Imagine having what’s under the gown displayed in a database without restrictions. If this legislation gets approved, Americans’ medical secrets will be extremely vulnerable to being lost, stolen or sold to the highest bidder.”

For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:

• Electronic Health Records
• Health Information Exchange
• Policies/Regulation
• Hospitals
• Group Practices