[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":1063,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"Proposed legislation has been reintroduced in Congress to remove decades-old regulations preventing physicians from knowing their patients\u2019 addiction treatment histories.

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) reintroduced the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act, which would align Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 2\u2014governing the confidentiality of substance use disorder treatment and prevention records\u2014with HIPAA, while the companion Protecting Jessica Grubb\u2019s Legacy Act was reintroduced by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

The House and Senate bills seek to align 42 CFR Part 2 with HIPAA for the purposes of treatment, payment and healthcare operations, enabling access to patient information while protecting the data with penalties for unlawful disclosure and use.

More than 40 years ago, Congress passed 42 CFR Part 2 because of concerns about the potentially negative consequences\u2014including discrimination\u2014that could come from disclosing the patient records of individuals with substance use disorders. However, healthcare organizations contend that the law in antiquated and prevents lifesaving medical care for patients in recovery for substance use disorders.

\u201cToo many patients with substance use disorder have been prescribed an opioid or another drug that may endanger their life or sobriety because of an outdated law that prevents clinicians from reviewing their complete treatment history,\u201d the American Hospital Association noted in a written statement. \u201cThe Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act and the Protecting Jessica Grubb\u2019s Legacy Act would allow clinicians access to the information they need to ensure patient safety and the highest quality of care.\u201d

Also See<\/b>: Feds issue guidance on substance abuse confidentiality law<\/a>

\u201cIt is essential that healthcare providers have a complete medical history with all relevant information that will help them treat patients,\u201d said Russell Branzell, president and CEO of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. \u201cTo ensure the highest quality of care, information pertaining to substance use disorder history must be shared. Unfortunately, under current law, 42 CFR Part 2, SUD treatment and diagnoses are kept confidential from other providers, which can be extremely problematic when a clinician is attempting to treat someone but is unaware of their prior addiction history.\u201d

Likewise, the Opioid Safety Alliance\u2014a group of prescribers, health systems, technology vendors, pharmacies and pharmacists, as well as patients\u2014praised the reintroduction of the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act <\/i>and the Protecting Jessica Grubb\u2019s Legacy Act.

\u201cFor too long, the flawed 42 CFR Part 2 law has put a wall between patients\u2019 addiction treatment records and the rest of their health history,\u201d said Joel White, executive director of the Opioid Safety Alliance. \u201cThis policy creates needless stigma that impedes care coordination and threatens patient safety.

\u201c<\/b>By aligning laws governing addiction treatment records with HIPAA, these bills represent a smart step in the right direction that will protect the well-being of those recovering from substance misuse and ensure prescribers do not become unwitting aides to a patient\u2019s relapse,\u201d White added. \u201cBetter information for a patient\u2019s provider will help ensure better treatment and less addiction.\u201d","saveContent":"Proposed legislation has been reintroduced in Congress to remove decades-old regulations preventing physicians from knowing their patients\u2019 addiction treatment histories.

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) reintroduced the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act, which would align Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 2\u2014governing the confidentiality of substance use disorder treatment and prevention records\u2014with HIPAA, while the companion Protecting Jessica Grubb\u2019s Legacy Act was reintroduced by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

The House and Senate bills seek to align 42 CFR Part 2 with HIPAA for the purposes of treatment, payment and healthcare operations, enabling access to patient information while protecting the data with penalties for unlawful disclosure and use.

More than 40 years ago, Congress passed 42 CFR Part 2 because of concerns about the potentially negative consequences\u2014including discrimination\u2014that could come from disclosing the patient records of individuals with substance use disorders. However, healthcare organizations contend that the law in antiquated and prevents lifesaving medical care for patients in recovery for substance use disorders.

\u201cToo many patients with substance use disorder have been prescribed an opioid or another drug that may endanger their life or sobriety because of an outdated law that prevents clinicians from reviewing their complete treatment history,\u201d the American Hospital Association noted in a written statement. \u201cThe Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act and the Protecting Jessica Grubb\u2019s Legacy Act would allow clinicians access to the information they need to ensure patient safety and the highest quality of care.\u201d

Also See<\/b>: Feds issue guidance on substance abuse confidentiality law<\/a>

\u201cIt is essential that healthcare providers have a complete medical history with all relevant information that will help them treat patients,\u201d said Russell Branzell, president and CEO of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. \u201cTo ensure the highest quality of care, information pertaining to substance use disorder history must be shared. Unfortunately, under current law, 42 CFR Part 2, SUD treatment and diagnoses are kept confidential from other providers, which can be extremely problematic when a clinician is attempting to treat someone but is unaware of their prior addiction history.\u201d

Likewise, the Opioid Safety Alliance\u2014a group of prescribers, health systems, technology vendors, pharmacies and pharmacists, as well as patients\u2014praised the reintroduction of the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act <\/i>and the Protecting Jessica Grubb\u2019s Legacy Act.

\u201cFor too long, the flawed 42 CFR Part 2 law has put a wall between patients\u2019 addiction treatment records and the rest of their health history,\u201d said Joel White, executive director of the Opioid Safety Alliance. \u201cThis policy creates needless stigma that impedes care coordination and threatens patient safety.

\u201c<\/b>By aligning laws governing addiction treatment records with HIPAA, these bills represent a smart step in the right direction that will protect the well-being of those recovering from substance misuse and ensure prescribers do not become unwitting aides to a patient\u2019s relapse,\u201d White added. \u201cBetter information for a patient\u2019s provider will help ensure better treatment and less addiction.\u201d","order":0,"get_parent":{},"attributes":[],"attributesType":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"dynamicContent":""}]

Bills seek to update law on substance use disorder records

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