HHS issues HIPAA guidance after abortion ruling

Providers shouldn’t cite the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act as a reason to disclose a patient’s abortion plan to law enforcement, the Health and Human Services Department said Wednesday.

Under HIPAA, healthcare providers are allowed to disclose—including to law enforcement— a patient’s medical information if they believe it’s needed to prevent or lessen a “serious and imminent threat” to health or safety.

HHS…