Recommended changes to some patient privacy rules requested by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have sparked opposition from the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Gun Owners of America. Both groups have spoken out against a proposed rule change to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that would allow health care entities to release names of mental health patients to the national firearm background check system.
Faegre Baker Daniels partner Isaac Willett, who counsels clients on health care privacy laws, told Indiana Lawyer that under its current form, HIPAA does a good job of keeping medical records confidential, but he noted that the public has an interest in both privacy and protecting people from harm. "It truly is a balancing act between serving public safety needs and maintaining individual right to privacy," Willett said.
