We reviewed the important purposes for which some commenters said government agencies needed protected
health information, and we believe that most of those needs can be met through the other categories of permitted uses and disclosures without authorization allowed under the final rule, including provisions permitting covered entities to disclose information (subject to
certain limitations) to government agencies for public
health,
health oversight, law enforcement, and otherwise as required by law.
We reviewed the important purposes identified in the comments for government access to protected
health information, and believe that the disclosures of protected
health information that should appropriately be made without individuals» authorization can be achieved through the other disclosures provided for in the final rule, including provisions permitting covered entities to disclose information (subject to
certain limitations) to government agencies for public
health, research,
health oversight, law enforcement, and otherwise as required by law.