Skip To Navigation Skip To Content Skip To Footer
    Advocacy Letter
    Home > Press Statements & Advocacy Letters > Advocacy Letters

    October 25, 2019  

    The Honorable Elinore F. McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D.
    Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use
    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
    Department of Health and Human Services
    5600 Fishers Lane
    Rockville, MD 20857

    RE: Confidentiality of Substance Abuse Disorder Patient Records

    RIN: 0930-AA32

    Dear Assistant Secretary McCance-Katz:

    The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) is pleased to submit the following response to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Proposed Rule, Confidentiality of Substance Abuse Disorder Patient Records. We appreciate the agency’s efforts to address the nation’s opioid epidemic and improve care coordination for individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). Ensuring that clinicians have access to pertinent patient information is vital to the treatment process. However, how patient medical records are shared under 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) can significantly increase the chance of inappropriate access and the potential of patient discrimination. The regulatory environment should be structured to encourage patients to share their information with trusted care partners while not serving as a barrier to those seeking SUD treatment.
     

    View the full letter


    Explore Related Content

    More Advocacy Letters

    Explore Related Topics

    Ask MGMA
    Reload 🗙