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News Release

STATEMENT BY TOMMY G. THOMPSON

Secretary of Health and Human Services
Regarding the Ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
Regarding Constitutional Challenge to the Privacy Rule

Today's 4th Circuit ruling upholding the constitutionality of the HIPAA Privacy Rule is a victory for America's patients and the principle that the federal government can provide protections to insure the enhanced confidentiality of their medical records.

This administration strongly supports a policy of providing a first-time-ever federal level of protection for the medical records of all Americans. The rule helps to ensure appropriate privacy safeguards are in place as we harness information technologies to improve the quality of care provided to patients. Consumers will benefit from these new limits on the way their personal medical records may be used or disclosed by those entrusted with this sensitive information.

The new rules reflect a common-sense balance between protecting patients' privacy and ensuring the best quality care for patients. They do not interfere with the ability of doctors to treat their patients, and they allow the continuing public health activities, such as tracking infectious disease outbreaks and reporting adverse drug events, to continue.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: April 30, 2003