ESPN, JPP, and HIPAA: CAN REPORTERS BE LIABLE FOR REVEALING PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION?

With the NFL season opener just a few hours away, the arrival our most recent Health Law column in the Albany County Bar Association Newsletter is timely as it explores the reporting of New York Giants star Jason Pierre-Paul’s amputated finger and analyzes whether media organizations can be liable for violations of a person’s health information rights under HIPAA.  The article notes that while media companies and reporters are not covered entities under HIPAA and not subject to that law’s criminal penalties, reporters could still face possible criminal liability under theories of conspiracy or aiding and abetting.