Manatt Health Partner Randi Seigel was quoted in COSMOS’ “Report on Medicare Compliance” on recent proposed modifications to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, and its impact surrounding providers’ dissemination of patients’ protected health information (PHI) about reproductive health care.
In the article, Seigel explained that the proposed regulation would prohibit regulated entities from turning over reproductive PHI to law enforcement in states where abortion is illegal, if the reproductive health care services were provided in states where it is legal. “Providers would be protected from being compelled to provide PHI that could be used in a criminal proceeding against them, the patients or others who were involved in facilitating access to reproductive health services,” she said. Seigel noted that this move would provide relief both to providers that are documenting reproductive health care as well as patients who are seeking care. However, she added that it may be a while before the proposed rule is finalized, as there may be challenges from individuals and states hostile to abortion.
Read the full COSMOS article here.