AHA responds to Rep. Markey on HIPAA

June 14, 2001 - According to "AHA News Now," the American Hospital Association (AHA) told Rep. Ed. Markey (D-MA) and 30 other members of Congress it has concerns with a letter the members sent to President Bush saying he shouldn't change or delay privacy provisions of HIPAA. AHA's letter, signed by Executive Vice President Rick Pollack and sent yesterday, commended Markey for his leadership on health care issues but expressed disagreement with some of Markey's conclusions. Among them: the requirement that patients sign written consent forms; the minimum necessary limits on access to information within the hospital; restricting oral communication among caregivers and the patients; and provisions regarding hospitals' business associate contracts. Pollack emphasized AHA's estimate that complying with HIPAA would cost billions of dollars and referred to some of the regulations as "a triumph of paperwork over patient care." Pollack closed by writing, "We share your strong commitment to medical privacy and expect that the rules can be modified to address the compelling concerns of the hospital community about the impact on patient care and essential operations without sacrificing meaningful medical privacy protections for patients."

Read AHA's June 13th letter

Read Markey's May 25th letter (PDF file)