FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2007
CONTACT
Jeanne Atkinson, Communications and Legislative Services Division, (402) 471-8287
HHS Correct in Protecting Regional Center Medical Records
Lincoln – The Nebraska Attorney General's response to a public records request confirms that medical records of former patients of the three Regional Centers, including their names, remain confidential after their death. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) operates the Regional Centers, located in Hastings, Lincoln and Norfolk.
"These are medical records from our hospitals, and we’re pleased by the Attorney General’s response," said Chris Peterson, chief administrative officer for HHS. "It confirms the department's understanding of the laws written to protect patients' confidentiality."
The Adams County Historical Society recently asked for access to the records of approximately 1,000 people who were buried in the Hastings Regional Center cemetery between 1888 and 1952. The stone grave markers are numbered, and do not give patient names or dates of death.
"We understand the public policy arguments about whether the confidentiality of medical records should continue after a patient's death, but our focus is on following the law," Peterson said.
In addition to state law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, and corresponding federal regulations limit the release of patients' names. HHS believes it is following the requirements of state and federal law by not releasing the names of former patients.
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