Executive Spotlight: Protecting “Health-Ish” Data

As we enter our third month of 2021 and the new Administration and Congress, new national, comprehensive data privacy legislation is still not guaranteed any time soon. In the absence of such a law, consumer health data remains governed by HIPAA, several other narrowly applicable federal laws, and a patchwork of state laws and regulations, leading to concern about how under-protected health data is collected, used, and shared. The exponential proliferation of mobile health applications, wearable devices, remote monitoring and online health-related communication in recent years has accelerated the need for prompt federal and industry action. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has...