Matt Fisher writes: The development of new technology in healthcare and the massive expansion in sources of healthcare data have both created many complications when it comes to protecting and securing sensitive information about individuals. Inevitably, the discussion then turns to the role of HIPAA, which then turns to HIPAA not meeting current needs. A recent…
Category: Healthcare
Texas judge Invalidates F.D.A. Approval of the Abortion Pill Mifepristone
Pam Belluck reports: A federal judge in Texas issued a preliminary ruling invalidating the Food and Drug Administration’s 23-year-old approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, an unprecedented order that — if it stands through court challenges — could make it harder for patients to get abortions in states where abortion is legal, not just in…
ICE Is Grabbing Data From Schools and Abortion Clinics
Dhruv Mehrotra reports: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are using an obscure legal tool to demand data from elementary schools, news organizations, and abortion clinics in ways that, some experts say, may be illegal. While these administrative subpoenas, known as 1509 custom summonses, are meant to be used only in criminal investigations about illegal…
99% of Hospitals Use Website Tracking Code That Transmits Data to Third Parties
HIPAA Journal reports: New research indicates virtually all U.S. hospitals have been using tracking software on their websites that captures visitor data, including health information, and transfers that information to third parties. The study – published this month in Health Affairs – was conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. They used the 2019 American Hospital…