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Oklahoma Senate
Senators criticize new Biden administration health rule, call for action
This flyer from Sen. Randy Grellner's medical office informs patients about medical privacy changes as a result of a new HIPAA rule at the federal level.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Randy Grellner, R-Cushing, and Sen. Julie McIntosh, R-Porter, on Wednesday criticized a new health privacy rule implemented by the Biden Administration, arguing it undermines parental rights and could have serious consequences for minor patients.
The senators, who are also family physicians, said they are already hearing concerns from patients about a new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rule that restricts parents' access to their child's medical records once a child turns 13. As of April 1, parents must now have their child complete paperwork designating them as their preferred medical proxy in order to regain access to their child’s medical records.
Grellner and McIntosh urged Senate leadership to support legislation that would guarantee parents the right to access and review their children’s medical records. McIntosh noted that she filed Senate Bill 958 to do just that, but her bill never got a hearing. Senate Bill 547, which was similar, advanced out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee but never got a floor hearing, Grellner added.
“Young lives hang in the balance because of this government overreach by the Biden administration to expand abortion access across America,” Grellner and McIntosh said. “How can parents protect their children and ensure their safety if they are kept in the dark about their medical care? This new rule hurts patients and families while leaving doctors without all the information they need to provide the best medical care possible. It’s an affront to parental rights that strips away Oklahomans’ ability to make informed, considerate medical decisions for their children. Now is the time for Republicans to take action to block this unnecessary rule from hurting Oklahoma families.”
Grellner said he asked the Senate Pro Tempore to talk to Oklahoma’s attorney general about filing an injunction that would halt the implementation of this new federal rule. Grellner and McIntosh added that they’ve also discussed this issue with the governor.
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For more information, contact: Sen. Randy Grellner at (405) 521-5572 or Randy.Grellner@oksenate.gov or Sen. Julie McIntosh at (405) 521-5574 or Julie.McIntosh@oksenate.gov
