The House-passed stimulus bill gives state AGs power to bring lawsuits for statutory damages for violations of the federal Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act (HIPAA) statute. ILR says This means state AG's will be able to contract with outside lawyers to file civil suits, with backing from the state.
“While the emergency economic stimulus package is aimed at turning our economy around and getting Americans back to work, the provision slipped into the House version and included in the Senate proposal is nothing more than a gift to the plaintiffs’ lawyers,” said ILR President Lisa A. Rickard.