Healthcare Reform and Medical Data Security and Privacy

U.S. health care delivery and administration have undergone transformations that create an expansive demand for health information technology. The concepts put forth in health care reform are reliant on an evolving health information technology infrastructure and the successes of both are dependent on consumer/patient "trust". Every action is interdependent. Each decision is a balance between ease of use, privacy and security concerns of consumers/patients, practicality, costs and political will. The goal is finding the best balance within an appropriate legal framework at the state and federal level so the pieces fit into one complete picture when implemented. Work supported by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the School of Engineering and Applied Science of The George Washington University 1 Healthcare Reform and Medical Data Security and Privacy Patricia MacTaggart The George Washington University Stephanie Fiore The George Washington University