Group Asks HHS to ‘Speed’ Medical Privacy Modifications

The Healthcare Leadership Council, a health industry group representing more than 80 organizations, sent a letter to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson yesterday asking for "swift action to complete and publish modifications to new federal rules on medical privacy," CongressDaily reports (CongressDaily, 8/6). The new rule establishes the first comprehensive federal standards for medical privacy. While President Bush allowed the rule to take effect in April, he promised to address several concerns of the health care industry, which "feared" the rule would "disrupt common practices of doctors and hospitals." Doctors, hospitals, most health plans and insurers must comply with the regulation by April 2003. In the letter, HLC urges HHS to "speed" efforts to publish modifications to the rule. "Last minute modifications pose real problems for America's health care system," the letter said (CongressDaily, 8/6). Last month, HHS issued guidelines to clarify the new privacy rule, hoping to "calm the fears" of the health care industry. The Healthcare Leadership Council, a health industry group representing more than 80 organizations, sent a letter to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson yesterday asking for "swift action to complete and publish modifications to new federal rules on medical privacy," CongressDaily reports (CongressDaily, 8/6). The new rule establishes the first comprehensive federal standards for medical privacy. While President Bush allowed the rule to take effect in April, he promised to address several concerns of the health care industry, which "feared" the rule would "disrupt common practices of doctors and hospitals." Doctors, hospitals, most health plans and insurers must comply with the regulation by April 2003. In the letter, HLC urges HHS to "speed" efforts to publish modifications to the rule. "Last minute modifications pose real problems for America's health care system," the letter said. Last month, HHS issued guidelines to clarify the new privacy rule, hoping to "calm the fears" of the health care industry. (CongressDaily, 8/6). For more information on the HHS medical privacy guidelines, go to http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/.