Biden administration strengthens HIPAA to protect abortion patients' privacy.

The Biden administration is proposing an update to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to provide stronger legal protections for people who obtain abortions and their doctors. The new rule would prevent healthcare providers and insurers from sharing information with state officials for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting someone for seeking or providing a legal abortion. The move comes in response to concerns from abortion-rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers, and follows a recent Texas court ruling threatening access to the abortion pill. The proposed rule will be open for public comment for 60 days before a final rule is issued.