Use this area as a resource for information regarding HIPAA reform.
Appeal to President Obama
Dear Mr. President:
Congratulations on your second term.
I am a Federal court reporter in Philadelphia and the owner of Kaplan, Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporting & Litigation Support. I am writing to share a personal story with you regarding an American epidemic. I lost my 21-year-old son, Justin on December 19, 2012 to an accidental heroin overdose.
Why Change HIPAA?
As described on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/, HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) prevents parents, family members or friends from gaining medical information about their legally adult-aged children (which is age 16 in PA, NJ and several other states), regardless of addiction or psychotherapy histories, unless that child/individual grants permission. This tenet persists despite the fact that parents are now permitted to cover children under their health insurance until age 26.
Gregg Wolfe's Testimony before Congressional Subcommittee, April 26, 2013
"Good Morning, Chairman Murphy, Vice Chairman Burgess, Ranking Member DeGette and Members of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. My name is Gregg Wolfe, CEO of Kaplan, Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporting & Litigation Support and Federal Official Court Reporter for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. I am very thankful for the invitation extended to me so that I may testify to address the necessary and dire need to change the HIPAA law regarding minors and legally emancipated adults who either have a mental disorder, disability or drug and/or alcohol addiction. I will set forth the reasoning for the exception to our valuable HIPAA law, which will have a positive impact on our society.
Visit Kacie's Cause
"Kacies Cause is a dedicated group of volunteers throughout the country and into Canada where we educate our communities, parents, young adults and teens. Our mission is to spread the word locally and nationally on Heroin Awareness and to review the current heroin laws in our country. Kacies Cause educates via school systems, Town Hall Meetings, Community events, Churches, local Rotary and Lions clubs and all possible venues to reach todays addicted families."
-Andy Rumford