HHS Strengthens HIPAA Enforcement

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an interim final rule with request for comments today to strengthen its enforcement of the rules promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).  The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which was enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, modified the HHS Secretary’s authority to impose civil money penalties for violations occurring after Feb. 18, 2009.  These HITECH Act revisions significantly increase the penalty amounts the Secretary may impose for violations of the HIPAA rules and encourage prompt corrective action.

Read More about this .......

 Nurse Licensure Compact Moves Forward

House Bill 1611 was introduced on June 5, 2009: AN ACT Authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Nurse Licensure Compact.  The next step - it is now referred to the Professional Licensure Committee.

Pennsylvania Association of Occupational Health Nurses (PAAOHN) has formed a coalition with Case Management Society of America (CMSA).  Representatives from both organizations are readily available to provide testimony to the professional licensure committee in favor of this House Bill. Carol Smith, a national advocate for multistate licensure, recently published an article on the topic, she is very supportive to our efforts here in the Commonwealth. 

Also there is an advisory from AAOHN, PAAOHN's national organization and CMSA's position Statement.   Both provide an overview of why this is such an important issue to nurses licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.