Confusion arose over whether the Obama administration had issued a special public health emergency waiver to suspend certain privacy provisions of HIPAA to help ease communication between healthcare providers caring for the injured and those patients’ families. It turned out, however, the administration did not activate the rarely used waiver. The law allows for healthcare entities to exercise “professional judgment” in discussing the care of a patient with family members or friends in certain circumstances. Security experts say HIPAA’s flexibility makes the waiver unnecessary in most urgent circumstances, security experts say.”]
Source: https://www.careersinfosecurity.com/no-hipaa-waiver-needed-in-orlando-shooting-aftermath-a-9196