FC: Medical privacy HIPAA regulations delayed, from CQ

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

----- Forwarded message from Dave Steer <dsteer () truste org> -----

From: "Dave Steer" <dsteer () truste org>
Subject: HIPAA News
To: <declan () wired com>
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 10:23:43 -0800
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0)

Hi Declan,
Thought your list might like to see this news about HIPAA from Congressional
Quarterly.
Best,
DS


(www.cq.com)
MEDICAL PRIVACY REGULATION FACING UNEXPECTED DELAY

By Rebecca Adams, CQ Staff Writer

Feb. 20, 2001 - The Clinton administration's medical privacy regulation will
likely be delayed for almost two months beyond its Feb. 26 effective date.

    While the Department of Health and Human Services has not yet announced
the change, congressional aides and lobbyists say that a delay is almost
certain because the Clinton administration apparently failed to formally
submit the regulation to Congress as required by law when it was finalized
on Dec. 28.

    Under the Congressional Review Act (PL 104-121), major regulations
cannot take effect until two months after they are formally presented to
Congress. The rule protecting personal medical data was not submitted until
the week of Feb. 13, according to staffers and HHS sources.

    Health industry lobbyists have been pressuring HHS Secretary Tommy G.
Thompson to stall the effective date, saying that the complex regulation
contains several new provisions that were not in the draft version.
Lobbyists are still hoping that Thompson will reopen the rule-making process
to collect comments and consider changes to the rule.

....

**********
Dave Steer
TRUSTe -- Building a Web You Can Believe In
Ph: 415-260-9669
Email: dsteer () truste org
**********


----- End forwarded message -----



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