If you were busy getting your costume ready for Halloween, you might have missed the news release from HHS on October 30, 2009. This news release should be taken seriously by all covered entities and organizational leaders that have responsibilities for protected health information (PHI)
The news release announces that HHS has issued an interim final rule to strengthen its enforcement of the rules within HIPAA to conform to the HIPAA enforcement regulations made by the HITECH Act.
As you may remember, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act was enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, which modified the HHS Secretary’s authority to impose civil money penalties for violations occurring after February 18, 2009.
I am curious if organizational leaders are taking notice of a trend that is catching on with strengthening enforcement of regulations?
The FDIC, OSHA, SEC, FINRA, FTC and others have announced they are also strengthening enforcement of regulations.
Are organizational leaders are paying attention and taking steps to strengthen their management programs?
Stay tuned….