RTL Today – Health Information: Biden admin issues rule protecting abortion privacy

President Joe Biden’s administration on Monday announced a new rule aimed at protecting the privacy of women who leave their home states to get legal abortions, fearing they could be prosecuted if they return.

The move comes as reproductive rights take center stage in November’s presidential election, following a pivotal court decision that abolished or severely restricted legal abortion in 21 states.

“No one should have to live in fear that their conversations with their doctor or that their medical claims data could be used to target or track them,” Melanie Fontes Rainer of the Office for Civil Rights told reporters.

The rule prohibits the disclosure of private health information for the purpose of researching individuals seeking or obtaining legitimate reproductive health services. It also applies to healthcare providers.

Rainer urged women to come forward and file a complaint if they believe their privacy rights have been violated.

The Health and Human Services Agency received nearly 30,000 public comments before finalizing the new rule, which strengthens the Health Insurance Portability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

In 2022, conservative justices appointed by former President Donald Trump helped overturn half a century of legal precedent upholding the constitutional right to abortion, sparking widespread outrage.

Women in Republican-controlled states have since faced challenges accessing reproductive care, including for non-viable pregnancies and even IVF treatments.

Abortion rights have become a cornerstone of President Biden’s reelection campaign, and the issue helped Democrats exceed expectations in the 2022 midterm vote.