AHIMA STATEMENT RESPONDS TO NEWS REPORTS ON GAO STUDY:
NY Times’ “Warnings Over Privacy of U.S. Health Network” latest to question federal government’s health information efforts

This Statement is Attributable to:
Linda L. Kloss, MA, RHIA, FAHMIA
AHIMA Chief Executive Officer

CHICAGO, February 19—“The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) agrees with the basic premise maintained in recent news reports that more needs to be done in the federal government’s effort to lead the way with sound policy to protect the privacy of patient health information as we move towards electronic health records and health information exchange. However, attention must be paid to the complexity of aligning the desires of 300 million Americans with the goals, objectives and needs of our nation’s health care community, 50 state legislatures, governors, Congress and the Administration’s healthcare policymakers.

“The AHIMA strongly supports the integration of privacy and security protections throughout the evolution of our healthcare information system. And while no one should expect fast answers and simple solutions in such a complex environment, much is being done to deliver to Americans an electronic health record system that secures individuals from misuse of personal health information, protects healthcare consumers’ rights and meets their needs when they most need fast, accurate health information.

“AHIMA, our health information management professionals and our industry are all striving to work with providers, consumers, legislators and policy-makers at the state and national level to create and continually improve an environment that widely protects the confidentiality of health information; uses high, uniform standards of confidentiality and security to protect each health care consumer; does not tolerate the misuse of any personal health information and makes full use of health information technology and standards that ensures health information security and makes that secure health information available for the entire American population.”