Legislators Push for Enhanced State Health Data Security
TL/DR –
Lawmakers in Connecticut are calling for further discussions about the security and confidentiality of patient health data in the state’s Healthcare Information Exchange due to concerns from hospitals, doctors, and behavioral health providers. There are concerns about transparency, the sharing of specially protected information like behavioral health or substance use disorder records, and reproductive health records. The comprehensive health care bill would establish a working group to determine responsibility for data breaches and review policies concerning patient health care records, while a patient’s ability to opt out of having their data in the exchange is also under discussion.
Hartford Addresses Concerns of Patient Health Data Security
Lawmakers in Hartford are engaging in discussions to address concerns about the safety of patient health data in the state’s Healthcare Information Exchange. These concerns were raised by hospitals, doctors, and behavioral health providers due to issues with data security and confidentiality.
At a news conference, Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, explained the Senate’s exhaustive health care bill. This bill plans to set up a working group that will focus on defining the responsible parties in cases of data breaches and reviewing the exchange’s policies regarding patient health care records.
The Health Information Exchange, or Connie, was set forth three years ago and is managed as a nonprofit. Its nine-member Board of Directors includes a mix of government officials and representatives from the hospital and insurance sector.
By law, all health care providers must participate in the state’s Health Information Exchange. However, transparency issues about who the exchange shares information with have persisted since its inauguration.
Concerns over the operation of the exchange and the unclear responsibilities of the participating organizations were raised in testimony submitted by 28 health care organizations to the state Legislature’s Public Health Committee. This also includes concerns about the inability to separate highly sensitive information, such as behavioral health and substance use disorder records, from other health records within the exchange.
Another area of concern for the providers was reproductive health records, which they believe require enhanced confidentiality and protection. Although patients can request their data be removed from the exchange, not all are in agreement with this system, including the option to opt in rather than opt out.
Anthony Yoder, a member of the Connecticut chapter of the American College of Physicians, voiced the need for patients to have control over their data, regardless of whether they opt-in or opt-out. The proposed working group will be tasked with determining liability in the event of a data breach and to ensure all unresolved issues are addressed.
Anwar reassured that the working group would involve “all stakeholders” and the Office of Health Strategy representation. Jenn Searls, Connie’s Executive Director, also chimed in, stating that the Health Information Exchange already has “robust privacy and security controls and protocols.” This includes disaster recovery plans for cyberattacks and an annual independent firm security audit.
Searls emphasized Connie’s commitment to patient safety with measures that surpass legal requirements, aiming to offer healthcare providers and patients across the state greater peace of mind.
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