HIPAA Laws and the Major Leagues?

Question

Is it against the HIPAA Laws to discuss someone's medical record on national TV even if they are in the major leagues?
I would be upset. I feel it should be Doctor, Patient confidentiallty no matter what field they are in.
What is your opponion on this issue?

Answer 1

mj69catz was almost correct.

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement signed between the Player's Union and MLB, medical conditions affecting the rediness of the player and/or personnel for on-field performance are allowed to be released to the media.

As you have been told, HIPPA regulates MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS be they trainers, doctors, nurses, medical staff or otherwise. It does not affect the contract between MLBPA and the MLB.

In fact, this is an interesting area of law today. many colleges and universities are coming under fire with the threat of lawsuits for releasing medical information of their own players. There is just such a lawsuit in Colorado which will define this area of law soon filed by a player whose medical condition was released by the team trainer to the local media without the player's express permission.

Answer 2

HIPAA Laws do prevent the medical doctor from discussing that information -- UNLESS given release by the individual.

However, the media is not under HIPAA regulation - so they can discuss it all they want once someone has released the information. And other doctors who are NOT the doctor for the individual can discuss the information.

Answer 3

The doctor or hospital cant give out confidential information but if its public knowledge than anything can be discussed. The media seems to have ways to find out all sorts of private information and sometimes the person gives permission for information to be released. For some reason we feel that its our right to know all about the the private lives of celebrities.

Answer 4

They cant first of all. According to baseball Barry Bonds hasnt been proven using an types of banned substances. But if baseball has found out than in the case of players like Rafeal Palmerio they are keeping it a secret because Bonds is a very important player in the league, thanks to Bonds he is making the game more popular and making people talk about baseball. He is also making headlines and selling tickets which helps baseball too. Baseball doesnt care if people pay tickets just to boo Barry, they are still making a giant profit. Bonds is also one of the biggest role models in sports (hard to believe) and for baseball to admit that he has abused the policy will upset many fans that have faith in him.