A host of medical groups are up in arms over a proposal by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in April that potentially would allow protected mental health information to be reported to a federal gun background-check database, according to the Wall Street Journal. The plan would require HHS an amendment to HIPAA, which was strengthened by updates unveiled in January.
Among the groups opposed to the proposal are the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, which sent a letter to HHS last week saying that easing the rule could create a "significant chilling effect" on a patient's willingness to get care. The American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association all sent similar letters to HHS. Article (subscription required)