Congressman Paul Introduces Resolution to
Disapprove HIPAA Privacy Rules

March 19,. 2001 -- Last Thursday, Representative Ron Paul (D-TX) introduced a resolution which would disapprove the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Issued on December 28, 2000, the Privacy Rule is scheduled to become effective on April 14, 2001.

Calling his resolution the "Medical Privacy Protection Resolution," Paul stated that the HIPAA privacy regulation would grant federal and state law enforcement officials access to patient records without a search warrant. He also said that patients will have only "limited knowledge" of who sees their records, and that individuals will not be able to sue health care providers or the government for breaches of privacy.

The proposed joint resolution has been refered to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has 60 days to review regulations after receiving official notice. Due to what has been called a "clerical error," Congress did not receive notification of the Privacy rule until February 13, 2001.

Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services on December 28, 2000, relating to standards for privacy of individually identifiable health information.

Mr. PAUL introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services on December 28, 2000, relating to standards for privacy of individually identifiable health information.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services on December 28, 2000 (volume 65, number 250, page 82462 of the Federal Register), relating to standards for privacy of individually identifiable health information, and such rule shall have no force or effect.