June 15, 2006 - MARKEY SEEKS TO AMEND HEALTH RECORDS BILL TO PROTECT PRIVACY OF PATIENTS, VETERANS
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today introduced an amendment to H.R. 4157 the “Better Health Information System Act,” during the legislation’s mark-up session to strengthen privacy protections for personal medical records, including sensitive health, prescription and Social Security data. Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) introduced a similar privacy amendment last week in the bills subcommittee. In light of recent information breaches at the Veterans Administration one month ago, Rep Markey insisted that information technology storing medical records for millions of Americans requires that we modernize privacy safeguards regarding consent and notice that will help prevent the compromise of identity and data stored in these massive databases.
October 31, 2005- Senator Kerry, Congressman Markey Fight to Protect Patients' Privacy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA) have passed measures through the Senate and House that will help patients act quickly to protect their privacy if their medical records are stolen or lost.
The federal government is currently working to create a national electronic medical records database. The measures by Kerry and Markey will require the federal government to create a system to notify people if their medical information has been stolen, lost or compromised in any way. The aim is to ensure victims will be notified as quickly as possible so the information can be recovered and criminals sought.
June 24, 2005- House Passes Markey Medical Privacy Amendment
WASHINGTON DC- Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Co-Chair of the Congressional Privacy Caucus, today attached an amendment to the appropriations bill that funds the Department of Health and Human Services. The amendment, which was cosponsored by Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), was included within a group of “Manager’s Amendments” approved by the House.
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