The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was designed to improve care coordination between providers and avoid discrimination in treatment, according to a Nov. 28 news release from HHS.
If the rule is passed, patients would have more control over how their records are disclosed among different providers, including allowing patients to approve all treatment records with a single consent and the option to request restrictions on certain disclosures, according to the release.
“Varying requirements of privacy laws can slow treatment, inhibit care and perpetuate negative stereotypes about people facing substance use challenges,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the release. “This proposed rule would improve coordination of care for patients receiving treatment while strengthening critical privacy protections to help ensure individuals do not forego lifesaving care due to concerns about records disclosure.”
