SCOTUS lets W. Va law stand allowing psychiatric hospitals to disclose patient records without consent

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The Supreme Court upheld a ruling by the West Virginia Court of Appeals that permits state-run psychiatric hospitals to provide patient records to third parties without patient consent, reports Politico.

The Supreme Court reviewed the case following challenges to a state supreme court decision that allows these hospitals to give patient records to facilities caring for a patient. Those challenging the state supreme court decision said allowing sharing of information without patient consent violates HIPAA.

In its decision, SCOTUS said HIPAA allows providers to disclose records if required by state law. "In other words, HIPAA won't allow you to violate another law even if it's not as restrictive as the federal one," according to Politico.

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