A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide guidance to law enforcement officers and others regarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Summary

Prohibits the disclosure to any person of: (1) medical information with a patient identifier; (2) a patient identifier; or (3) medical information if there is reason to believe that the recipient may have a patient identifier for such information. Requires medical service providers to notify patients of the disclosures of medical information that may be made without the patient's authorization. Sets forth the procedure by which a patient may consent to the disclosure of medical information. Prohibits the disclosure of medical information without the patient's consent, except in specified circumstances, including employee use, audits and evaluations, statutory requirements (but only relevant information that requires the patient's consent before redisclosure), bona fide medical emergencies, health research, and pursuant to administrative or judicial subpoenas (after giving any interested parties the opportunity to request an in camera review). Stipulates that prescriptions for drugs shall be considered confidential and subject to this Act. Requires all nonoral disclosures of medical information to warn against unauthorized disclosure. Provides civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Directs medical service providers to allow the patients full access to their medical records. Requires such service providers to establish procedures which allow patients to challenge and correct their medical records.

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Documents

1 official file

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 1 August 1979

  Open at official source

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