[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 15 (Monday, April 16, 2001)]
[Pages 611-612]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Federal Regulations on Privacy of Medical Records

April 12, 2001

    Today I directed Secretary Thompson to allow a Federal rule that 
will protect the privacy of medical information for millions of 
Americans to become effective. For the first time, patients will have 
full access to their medical records and more control over how their 
personal information will be used and disclosed. The rule also provides 
a clear avenue of recourse for those Americans whose medical privacy has 
been compromised.

[[Page 612]]

    This rule will help address patients' growing concerns regarding 
medical privacy. Although impressive advances in medicine and 
information technology have helped make America's health care system the 
best in the world, our new technologies have at times made it more 
difficult to protect personal medical information. I believe that we 
must protect both vital health care services and the right of every 
American to have confidence that his or her personal medical records 
will remain private.
    I recognize that legitimate concerns have been raised about the 
current rule, which I share, such as parents' concern that the rule 
limits their right to have access to their children's medical records. I 
have asked Secretary Thompson to recommend appropriate modifications to 
the rule to address these concerns and to ensure that patients receive 
the highest quality of health care. Improving our health care system 
while protecting the confidentiality of patient records will continue to 
be an important goal of my administration.