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FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2002

The Bush administration on Thursday proposed to allow doctors and hospitals to disclose private medical data without the written consent of their patients.

In a Federal Register notice to be published next Wednesday, the Department of Health and Human Services announces the medical privacy rule. Secretary Tommy Thompson says removing consent requirements will ensure greater access to health care.

In reaction, Democrats, doctors and patients rights groups said the change stripped individuals of their rights. But the hospital and medical industry said it will speed delivery of services.

Comments will be accepted for 30 days after the publication of the rules.

Get the Story:
Medical Privacy Changes Proposed (The Washington Post 3/22)
Bush Acts to Drop Core Privacy Rule on Medical Data (The New York Times 3/22)
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Related Documents:
HHS Press Statement | HHS Fact Sheet

Relevant Links:
Final Regulation, Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information - http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/finalreg.html