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It is widely recognized that developments in health information technology (HIT) have the potential to improve health care quality, reduce costs and empower consumers to play a greater role in their own care. However, little progress has been made on resolving the privacy issues associated with the growing liquidity of personally identifiable health information.

CDT’s Health Privacy Project will take on key policy questions, including: the proper role of notice and consent, the right of patients to access their own health records in electronic formats, identification and authentication, secondary uses, and enforcement mechanisms. It will address both the traditional exchange of records among providers and payers, as well as new consumer access services and Personal Health Records.

Headlines

CDT Testifies Before House Health Subcommittee on Adoption, Use of Health IT - CDT's Health Privacy Project Director Deven McGraw testified today before the House Health Subcommittee during a hearing on promoting the adoption and use of health information technology. McGraw said that enhanced privacy and security built into health IT systems will bolster consumer trust and confidence; that move will help spur a more rapid adoption of health IT and the realization of its potential benefits. In her testimony, McGraw outlined a comprehensive privacy and security framework that would set clear parameters for access, use and disclosure of personal health information for all entities engaged in e-health. July 24, 2008

Health Privacy Improvements Advance - The House Energy and Commerce Committee today approved a bill intended to boost adoption of electronic health records nationwide while strengthening federal privacy laws. CDT supports the measure and will testify tomorrow on the importance of protecting privacy in electronic health records at a hearing of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. July 23, 2008

CDT Endorses Policy Framework for Consumer Health Record Services - CDT has joined prominent health care providers, Internet companies, insurers, and other consumer advocates in endorsing a set of practices for new Internet services that allow individuals to access and maintain their personal health information. The framework, developed in a collaborative process organized by the Markle Foundation, recommends a detailed and comprehensive set of practices that can help protect the privacy and security of Personal Health Records (PHRs) and other services. June 26, 2008

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