U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has introduced the Health Information Privacy Reform Act. The bill aims to expand privacy protections for Americans’ health data by including new technologies such as smartwatches and health apps that are not currently covered by existing regulations.
Cassidy highlighted the need for updated privacy standards in light of technological advances. “Smartwatches and health apps change the way people manage their health. They’re helpful tools, but present new privacy concerns that didn’t exist when it was just a patient and a doctor in an exam room,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Let’s make sure that Americans’ data is secured and only collected and used with their consent.”
Current federal law, specifically the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), governs traditional provider-patient interactions but does not apply to many consumer health products connecting individuals to digital health tools outside clinical settings.
The proposed legislation would require companies whose technologies are not subject to HIPAA to disclose how they collect and share consumer information. It also seeks ways for consumers to contribute their health data for research purposes while providing opportunities for compensation.
The full text of the bill is available online.
For more updates from HELP Republicans, information can be found on their website or Twitter account @GOPHELP.
