By this time, most U.S. adults have been inconvenienced by HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, regulations.
We are asked to sign forms at the doctor’s office, hospitals, the pharmacy and other medically related facilities “to comply with HIPAA.” Additional privacy is established for discussion of medical issues “to comply with HIPAA.” Some pharmacies will not allow you to pick up medicines for family members “to comply with HIPAA.” Police, ambulance drivers and school officials often will not release information to the news media and family members “to comply with HIPAA.”
HIPAA has become a monster that it was never intended to be when created more than a decade ago by the Health and Human Services agency in Washington, D.C. The intent of HIPAA was to allow individuals access to their insurance and medical records and transfer them safely as the name would imply. I have read the Act, testified before HHS and lectured on its abuses.
Now, millions of dollars are being made by HIPAA “experts” conducting seminars and complanies producing HIPAA compliant products. My own office supply catalog has a category of HIPAA specific products. I assure you, there is no such thing. Furthermore, there are no HIPAA police to enforce compliance to almost totally imaginary standards.
What we have in HIPAA is no different than OHSA and the EPA. It was well intended from the beginning. Yet, when there is money to be made with fear to the general public and especially business, there are those who will jump at the opportunity. And, it is a handy excuse for public officials to hide behind saying “I can’t tell you because of HIPAA.”
It’s election time. Ask your Congressional candidate his or her stand on HIPAA. Chances are they will not know much about the Act and deem it unimportant. If they will not agree to repeal it, I urge you to vote against them for ignorance or being part of the Washington, D.C., machine which generates tons of legislation and turns their heads to implementation.
Date: October 16, 2014