eHealth Policy Branch Overview
The eHealth Policy Branch facilitates and oversees the collaborative development of privacy and security policy for the electronic exchange of health information. The eHealth Branch provides policy input to the federal government regarding privacy and security rules related to health information. The eHealth Branch also provides resources for the education of patients and providers via web resources. The eHealth Branch consists of two teams: Privacy Steering Team and Security Steering Team. Stakeholder collaboration is realized through these groups and their corresponding task groups. The steering teams and task groups recommend privacy and security policies for the electronic exchange of health information, as well as contribute to the harmonization of California and federal privacy and security law.
What's New:
December 2011
December 16, 2011
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) has published revised Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for 42 CFR Part 2. The new information partially pertains to health information organizations. The information is published on the SAMHSA website. You can also use the following link directly to the FAQs:
SAMHSA.gov - Laws and Regulations
Laws & Regulations
November 2011
The Privacy Steering Team, at its October 11, 2011 in-person meeting, discussed and collectively agreed that California should adopt HIPAA as the foundation for the purposes of law harmonization and then augment with areas where California law is more protective. Subsequently, on November 10, 2011, the Privacy Steering Team unanimously voted in writing, and approved this approach.
The Privacy Steering Team has drafted, discussed, and finalized a
white paper on the need for legislation for law harmonization in California on privacy and the exchange of health information.