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Biotech / Medical : WebMD Health Corp -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Michael Olds who wrote (270)	4/13/2001 1:39:32 PM
From: tech101	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 326

HIPAA Is Still Coming Bush to push forward on medical privacy regulations By Jennifer Jones 64.4.18.250 PRESIDENT BUSH PULLED a surprise about-face Thursday, announcing that he plans to push forward on controversial new medical records privacy regulations. The proposed rules -- the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) --were crafted by the Clinton administration. The HIPAA rules have been among the areas which Bush officials were thought to be scrutinizing closely because of their potential impact on businesses. Other areas being considered in this regard include workplace ergonomics. Moreover, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson just days ago reportedly said he wanted even more time to sort through backlash from health care providers. But Thompson Thursday issued a statement saying the administration will plow forward and take "a bold and definitive step to protect the rights of citizens to keep their medical records confidential." Said Thompson in the statement, "President Bush wants strong privacy protections put in place now. Therefore, we will immediately begin the process of implementing the patient privacy rule that will give patients greater access to their own medical records and more control over how their personal information is used." HHS took in more than 24,000 written comments on the issue. Outcry in the medical community, which lobbied both the administration and Capitol Hill to shelf Clinton's HIPAA regulations, sometimes borders on the extreme, sources said. For example, there were whispers that the rules will force hospitals to have only private rooms, because patients in opposite beds may overhear private doctor-patient conversations. But Thompson said that in the end his staff determined that many of the written comments were part of "mass mailing efforts in support of a particular view or concern." The health secretary went on to say that some of the comments would be taken into consideration as the administration modifies the rules to "ensure the quality of care does not suffer inadvertently from this rule." For instance, Thompson said that doctors and hospitals will not have to wait for information when treating patients, and pharmacies will be able to continue to fill subscriptions "in a timely manner." Jennifer Jones is an InfoWorld senior editor.