HHS Strengthens Privacy of Reproductive Health Care Data

The article reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized updates to the HIPAA Privacy Rule to prohibit the use or disclosure of protected health information for investigations or liability related to lawful reproductive health care, extending protections to patients, providers, and families. Prompted by post-Dobbs state restrictions, the rule takes effect in 60 days and requires covered entities to obtain assurances on request purposes and update their notice-of-privacy practices.