HHS To Enforce $1 Million Fines for Health Data Blocking Violations
Healthcare Brew
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is ramping up enforcement of information blocking rules established under the 21st Century Cures Act, aimed at eliminating practices that inhibit access to electronic health information. These rules, which can result in fines of up to $1 million per violation, target healthcare providers, health information exchanges, and health IT developers, with the intent of reducing delays in patient care and minimizing healthcare costs. The American Medical Association acknowledges this shift toward accountability as essential for enhancing patient care and combating issues like physician burnout. Notably, major EHR vendors like Epic Systems face legal challenges related to allegations of obstructing patient data access for competitive advantage, highlighting the ongoing tensions at the intersection of technology and healthcare practice.
