Government
HIPAA has its day in court
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 5, 2004
The U.S. District Court in Philadelphia last month heard arguments in a lawsuit seeking an injunction against the federal privacy rule that went into effect on April 14, 2003. The suit names U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. It alleges that the privacy rule was changed to assuage health care industry lobbyists by removing patients' ability to control their health information.
HHS counters that the rule was modified in response to thousands of complaints arguing that the need for written patient consent would interfere with the delivery of medical services. Both sides have requested summary judgment.
As of press time, it was unclear when Judge Mary McLaughlin would announce her ruling.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/01/05/gvbf0105.htm.
