05/12/2026
Update from IaHIMA's Advocacy Director:
IaHIMA Board Update
Iโm not sure if everyone subscribes to the AHIMA HI Advocate, so I wanted to share several recent highlights and opportunities relevant to our members and the health information profession.
Capitol Hill Update โ SECURE Data Act (HR 8413)
Last month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee released bill text for HR 8413: the Securing and Establishing Consumer Uniform Rights and Enforcement over (SECURE) Data Act. This legislation is the product of the House Energy and Commerce Data Privacy Working Group, in which AHIMA participated and shared member insights.
The SECURE Data Act would preempt state law and apply to entities conducting business in the U.S. or selling personal data of U.S. residents under certain conditions.
Key provisions include:
โข Applies only to individual or household data
โข Requires rights of access, correction, and deletion of personal data
โข Provides the right to opt out of personal data processing in certain circumstances
โข Requires opt-in consent before processing sensitive data
The bill would not:
โข Apply to HIPAA-covered data, de-identified health data, or health data used for public health purposes
โข Apply to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or higher education institutions
โข Permit a private right of action
Free Webinar โ Sharing SDOH Data to Improve Health Outcomes Save your spot and register today.
AHIMA is hosting a free virtual โData Breakโ webinar on May 15 at noon CT focused on sharing social determinants of health (SDOH) data to improve patient outcomes. Topics will include privacy considerations, data-sharing practices, and the role health information professionals play in advancing this work.
Volunteer Opportunity โ Prior Authorization for Drugs Workgroup
AHIMAโs Policy & Government Affairs Team is seeking feedback from members who work for payer organizations. A member workgroup will meet May 27 from 2:00โ3:00 pm ET to help inform AHIMAโs comments regarding the CMS Interoperability Standards and Prior Authorization for Drugs Proposed Rule.
Interested participants should contact advocacy@ahima.org by May 22.
Patient ID Week โ May 11โ15
AHIMA and the Patient ID Now coalition are recognizing Patient ID Week to raise awareness about the impact of patient misidentification on patients and healthcare organizations.
Members are encouraged to:
โข Send letters to congressional leaders supporting the MATCH IT Act
โข Share patient ID or misidentification stories
โข Utilize AHIMAโs Patient ID Week toolkit and social media resources
โข Help raise awareness within their organizations and communities
These updates reflect AHIMAโs continued advocacy and engagement efforts related to data privacy, interoperability, patient identification, and improving health outcomes.
