,Promoting Health/Protecting Privacy: A Primer

Promoting Health/Protecting Privacy: A Primer


 

Publication Date: January 1999

Publisher: California HealthCare Foundation; Consumers Union of United States

Author(s): Janlori Goldman; Zoe Hudson

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

To ensure that our health care system serves to both promote health and protect privacy, a renewed and cooperative dialogue must take place among consumers, providers, health plans, employers, researchers, and other stakeholders to determine how, when, and with whom patient information should be shared. This primer provides a broad overview of the major issues related to health privacy. It looks at what's driving the debate, the key issues, and what's at stake, and provides suggestions for what consumers, providers, and plans can do. California's unique health care landscape is described and current protections under California law are provided.