Proposed HIPSA Legislation Intends to Tighten Privacy Rules
Sens. Leahy and Kennedy have introduced the Health Information Privacy and Security Act of 2007 (HIPSA), which if enacted into law, would require HHS to revise HIPAA.
Key Points
Current federal and certain state laws require certain healthcare companies to take steps to safeguard protected health information. For instance, the Privacy Rule, a federal regulation under HIPAA, imposes restrictions on the use and disclosure of protected health information. Under the rule, a health plan, clearinghouse, or provider that transmits health information in electronic form in connection with specified financial and administrative transactions may not use or disclose the protected information unless the individual authorizes the use or disclosure, or unless the rule explicitly permits or requires the use or disclosure. State laws that parallel the rule may, in some cases, apply more broadly or impose additional requirements.
Companies should not only ensure that they are in compliance with HIPAA and related state laws, they should monitor this proposed legislation as well.
This column is written for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
Barry Senterfitt is a partner in the insurance industry practice of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in the firm's Austin, Texas, office.
Janet Farrer is an associate in the Austin office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
Optimize Your Healthcare Payments with Optum Financial
April 29th 2025Discover how Optum Financial is revolutionizing healthcare payments in our latest whitepaper. Learn how transitioning to electronic payments can reduce administrative costs, streamline claims processing and enhance security.
Read More
Conversations With Perry and Friends
April 14th 2025Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., a longtime member of the Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisory board, is host of the Conversations with Perry and Friends podcast. His guest this episode is John Baackes, the former CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan.
Listen
Healthcare hasn't been a priority of the second Trump administration so far, panelists at the Asembia agreed. Medicaid may loom large, though, as the administration and congressional Republicans look for ways to slash government spending as a way of offsetting major tax cuts.
Read More
Breaking Down Health Plans, HSAs, AI With Paul Fronstin of EBRI
November 19th 2024Featured in this latest episode of Tuning In to the C-Suite podcast is Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at EBRI, who shed light on the evolving landscape of health benefits with editors of Managed Healthcare Executive.
Listen
What 5 Managed Care Trends Experts Say You’re Not Watching Closely Enough
April 29th 2025Managed Healthcare Executive asked several experts in healthcare and managed care to share the trends they think the industry is overlooking. From rising costs and data challenges to shifts in how care is delivered, these are the issues that could have a major impact — and deserve a closer look.
Read More
