APA’s Joint Commission on Government Relations constantly monitors and advises the Board and Assembly on legislative and regulatory policy. In response to the "major omission" letter in the April 21 issue, there is no current APA policy advocating for three separate levels of protection of psychiatric records.

APA’s response to the proposed privacy rules of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was completely consistent with APA policy, strongly advocated for continued privacy protection under Jaffee v. Redmond, and indeed asked for an expansion of that protection to all psychiatric and medical records.

We welcome further discussion about this extremely important matter from APA governance and members.

Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D.

Chair

Joint Commission on
Government Relations