Health IT Stimulus Bill Contains Critical Privacy, Security Provisions

CDT applauds the critical privacy and security protections Congress included in the health information technology (health IT) portions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the proposed economic recovery bill.  Before billions are spent building a nationwide health IT network, privacy and security concerns must be addressed upfront to ensure the public trust and widespread adoption of the network.  CDT believes it is critical for privacy and security provisions to remain in the legislation and looks forward to working with Congress to ensure a comprehensive privacy framework is in place to protect health information. January 17, 2009

Press Release on Health IT Stimulus Bill January 17, 2009

Court Upholds Warrantless Surveillance of Suspected Terrorists Abroad

In a rare public opinion, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review upheld the constitutionality of warrantless wiretaps in the U.S. that target suspected terrorists who are both overseas and not U.S. citizens. The spying was conducted under the now-expired Protect America Act of 2007. The case arose when an anonymous communications company challenged the government's demand that it assist in carrying out the surveillance. The Court held that the Fourth Amendment applied to the wiretap, but that it could be conducted without a warrant under the stringent procedures in this case, which included specific targeting of individuals strongly believed to be terrorists. January 16, 2009

FISA Court of Review Opinion [PDF] August 22, 2008 [off-site]

Other Leading Headlines