Our October Health TechNet meeting focused on the challenge of maintaining medial privacy and security relating to laptop and other data theft. The meeting featured the presentations of Jerry King, Chief Privacy Officer, National Institutes of Health; Anna Slomovic, Chief Privacy Officer, Revolution Health; and Edgar Bueno, Senior Associate from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. Ms. Slomovic and Mr. King provided us with an overview on privacy and security as hospitals and other providers proceed to expand the use of electronic medical records and other automated systems in health care, creating privacy issues within the patient sector and in political circles as well. Mr. Bueno also provided us with a summary of the provisions of a new bill called HIPSA, sponsored by Senators Leahy and Kennedy, which would significantly amend and strengthen the current HIPAA law. The anticipated consequences of this legislation were also discussed.
Information about recent incidents including the theft of laptops from two Maryland hospitals and a brief summary of the HIPSA legislation were also provided.
Presentations of the speakers are attached.