AHA comments on proposed changes to SUD patient records regulation

AHA today voiced support for several proposed changes to the federal regulation governing the confidentiality of substance use disorder patients’ records that would reduce the burden and delay associated with accessing certain recovery services and add declared disasters to the list of exceptions. However, AHA urged the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to further clarify which providers are covered by the regulation, known as 42 CFR Part 2, and to work with Congress to allow full alignment of Part 2 with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements. “Because the proposed rule would not change the basic framework of Part 2, which significantly impedes the robust sharing of patient information necessary for effective clinical integration, we continue to urge full alignment of the Part 2 regulation with the [HIPAA] regulation as the proper and effective solution to eliminating barriers to the sharing of patient information,” AHA wrote.