The US Department of Health and Human Services has proposed the first new rule in 15 years for the law that protects patients’ private healthcare information, known as HIPAA. The provisions would require healthcare entities to implement stronger security measures and conduct annual audits. However, the new rule is criticized for potentially high costs, with estimations it may cost the healthcare industry $9 billion in its first year. The rule is currently a proposal and its implementation date is uncertain.
Medicaid cuts risk worsening Black maternal health crisis
Proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medicare could exacerbate racial disparities within the existing US maternal mortality crisis, disproportionately impacting pregnant Black women. Medicaid funds roughly
