HHS Finalizes SUDs Privacy Rule, Inches Towards HIPAA Alignment

HHS on Monday (July 13) finalized a rule that loosens privacy restrictions on substance use disorder records , inching towards fully aligning the strict privacy scheme with the less-stringent Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act rules although additional rulemaking is needed for full alignment. The rule, finalized by the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration, was proposed last August to loosen the privacy scheme known at 42 CFR Part 2. The scheme adds an extra layer of protection on...