Patient advocates back Senate bill’s approach to privacy

Several industry groups this week expressed support for H.R. 6082—the House bill that would amend 42 CFR Part 2 for the purposes of treatment, payment and healthcare operations—in hopes that the language would be include in the final opioid legislation package that comes out of the reconciliation process between House and Senate versions.

That sentiment, however, is not unanimous across the field.

Several patient advocacy and recovery organizations, as well as provider groups that include the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD), the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), and Treatment Communities of America (TCA) oppose the House’s bill over concerns about patient confidentiality and consent requirements.

A spokesperson for Legal Action Center, a not-for-profit law and policy group which advocates for individuals with histories of addiction, said in an email to Behavioral Healthcare Executive that LAC favors the Senate’s approach to the issue.

“We support the Senate’s thoughtful approach to preserving patient privacy safeguards while authorizing additional training for providers, patients and other stakeholders on the current requirements of the law, as well as when and how substance use disorder information can be shared in today’s health care delivery systems,” Abigail Woodworth, LAC director of communications and strategy, said.

LAC is among the 113 patient advocacy and healthcare organizations that comprise the Campaign to Protect Patient Privacy Rights, which in September 2017 published a series of principles to support maintaining the core protections of patient confidentiality in 42 CFR Part 2.