United States of America: Adopted HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy

On 22 April, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the adoption of the final HIPAA rule, entitled HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy. The Rule applies to the regulated entities, which include a large proportion of health care providers, health plans, health care clearinghouses and business associates. The Rule aims to strengthen the Health Insurance Portability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Portability Rule by prohibiting the use or disclosure of protected health information to investigate or prosecute patients, providers, and others involved in the provision of legal reproductive health care. The prohibition applies where the provision of reproductive was lawful, or presumed to be lawful. The Rule enters into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.