Consequences for HIPAA violations can often be quite harsh. If someone has breached the HIPAA privacy regulations – even without any malicious intent, civil penalties are applicable: $100 per violation for unawareness, a minimum of $1,000 for reasonable cause, a minimum of $10,000 if willful neglect is present and then rectified, and finally, a minimum of $50,000 for individuals who act with willful neglect and ignore the issue.
| Digital ExclusiveMedicare Acupuncture Bill Update
In the November 2004 issue, we reported that HR 1477, the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act, had amassed a total of 54 co-sponsors. Since that article was published, an additional nine co-sponsors have signed on to support the legislation.
The new co-sponsors (as of October 1, 2004) are:
- Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR, 3rd District)
- Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA, 14th District)
- Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY, 2nd District)
- Rep. Darrell E. Issa (R-CA, 49th District)
- Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY, 14th District)
- Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY, 4th District)
- Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA, 37th District)
- Rep. Major R. Owens (D-NY, 11th District)
- Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-VA, 10th District)
Make sure to visit AcupunctureToday.com for additional updates on the status of HR 1477.