1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov March 8, 2016Health Privacy: Updating Federal Protections for Patient Records at Substance Abuse Treatment ProgramsProtecting Privacy in an Evolving Health System On February 5, 2016, the Secretary for Health and Human Services (HHS) announced proposed changes to the
2、federal regulations that protect the privacy of patient records maintained by substance abuse treatment programs across the country. These regulations, known as Part 2 after their location in the Code of Federal Regulations (i.e., 42 C.F.R. Part 2), were first promulgated in 1975 and have not been r
3、evised substantively since 1987. According to the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which administers Part 2, the proposed changes are intended to modernize the regulations in the face of significant changes that are taking place in the U.S. health care system.
4、The Part 2 law and implementing regulations were written at a time when substance abuse treatment was offered primarily by specialty providers. The purpose of the regulations was to encourage individuals with substance abuse disorders to seek treatment by addressing their concerns about privacy. Sub
