AHA comments on proposed rule for SUD treatment record exchange 

Commenting today on a proposed rule to improve the exchange of patient records used in the treatment of substance use disorder, AHA said it supports the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s proposal to align definitions and require only a single patient consent in perpetuity for appropriate use and disclosure. However, it urged SAMHSA to work with Congress to update the statutory framework to allow for meaningful integration of SUD and physical health care and to resolve the statutory conflicts that prevent full alignment of the Part 2 regulations with the HIPAA requirements that govern all other patient health information. AHA also urged the agency to provide additional clarity and guidance in the final rule regarding how to operationalize the changes adopted; and guidance, support and time for Part 2 providers to modify and enhance their health IT and EHR capabilities before holding them to information protection standards.