Oklahoma Department of Health Proposes New Rule to Keep Patient Information Out of State Database
The new rules still need to be approved, but the therapists said they felt it was a win.
Therapists and counselors in Oklahoma credited a long battle for patient privacy with winning. | MORE | Oklahoma Can Establish Registry Containing Personal Health Information Oklahoma Department of Health Care Allows Health Care Providers to Store Patient Information in State Databases After Gov. Kevin Stitt Dismissed Previous Rule in June proposed a new set of rules that eliminates the need to register with The new rules still need to be approved, but the therapists said they felt it was a win. When Mr. Stitt initially disapproved of the first set of rules, he said he feared they would be unconstitutional, adding that states cannot compel providers to submit patient information. Now, changes that some providers are happy with include waivers. The new rule states that “all health care providers who register for exemptions will be granted such exemptions.” The Oklahoma Department of Medicine said the emergency rule requires board approval. The governor responds, but emergency procedures are generally quicker. “This is a very wise decision,” said one provider. Another provider said, “I still don’t like being mandated to join the system, but I’m going to do it at this point because it guarantees me an exemption.” Others asked OHCA for clarification or for changes, such as “changing these rules to explicitly and automatically exempt all mental health providers,” it said.TOP HEADLINES TIMELINE: Hot Days May Severe Storms Until Evening In Choctaw, 8-Year-Old Boy Shot Overnight in Chest by 14-Year-Old Brother, Officials Say Oklahoma Law Protects Tribal Members , school safety improvements come into effect
Therapists and counselors in Oklahoma credited a long battle for patient privacy with winning.
| MORE | Oklahoma May Register Personal Health Information
The Oklahoma Department of Health has proposed a new rule that could eliminate the need for health care providers to register patient information in the state database after Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed previous rules in June.
The new rules still need to be approved, but the therapists said they felt it was a win.
When Mr. Stitt initially disapproved of the first set of rules, he said he feared they would be unconstitutional, adding that states cannot compel providers to submit patient information. Now, changes that some providers are happy with include waivers.
The new rule reads, “All providers who register for exemption shall be granted such exemption.”
The Oklahoma Department of Health said emergency rules require board and governor approval, but emergency procedures are generally expedited.
“This is a very wise decision,” said one provider.
Another provider said, “I still don’t like being mandated to join the system, but I’m going to do it at this point because it guarantees me an exemption.”
Others asked OHCA for clarification or for changes, such as “changing these rules to explicitly and automatically exempt all mental health providers,” it said.
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