Privacy watchdog calls for investigation of Texas pregnancy centers

A privacy organization is asking the Texas Attorney General to investigate a pregnancy center that may not be protecting patient privacy. 

What happened

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has urged Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to investigate crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) over concerns about patient privacy protection. The organization claims these centers may be misrepresenting their HIPAA compliance status.

What's new

EFF sent letters to four state attorneys general, including Paxton, following complaints identified by the Campaign for Accountability about how CPCs handle sensitive patient information.

Why it matters

Texas has 205 crisis pregnancy centers - the highest number in any state. How these centers handle patient data impacts thousands of individuals seeking pregnancy-related services.

The big picture

The controversy centers on whether CPCs are accurately representing their HIPAA compliance status to patients who share personal information. This raises broader questions about privacy protections in non-traditional healthcare settings.

What they're saying

"Regardless of your views on reproductive health care, we should all really agree that privacy is a basic human right," says Rindala Alajaji, EFF legislative activist.

Texas Alliance for Life responded that CPCs "are in compliance" with HIPAA law and follow "strict client confidentiality policies."

What's next

The Texas Attorney General's office will need to decide whether to pursue an investigation. If launched, the investigation could examine whether CPCs are violating Texas privacy and consumer protection laws.

FAQs

What privacy laws apply to crisis pregnancy centers?

While traditional healthcare providers must follow HIPAA regulations, the application to CPCs depends on various factors, including their services and funding sources.

What information is at risk?

Personal and medical information collected during patient visits, including pregnancy status, medical history, and identifying information.

How are patient records currently protected?

According to Texas Alliance for Life, centers follow strict confidentiality policies, particularly those receiving funding through the Thriving Texas Families Program.