On Thursday, December 2, 2010, the House Energy & Commerce Committee held its last privacy hearing of the year to examine the feasibility of “Do-Not-Track” legislation authorizing the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) to establish a mechanism (similar to the popular Do-Not-Call registry) for Internet users to globally opt-out of receiving targeted online advertising based on […]
2010 Post-Election Advisory: Outlook for the 112th Congress
The preeminent privacy issue facing the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Senate Commerce Committee, Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and Department of Commerce during the 112th Congress will be defining the proper role of the federal government in setting and regulating consumer privacy standards for all businesses operating in the United States. At the forefront of […]
The Impact of Emerging Consumer Privacy Standards on the Collection and Use of Customer Data
The basic rules governing privacy of customer information have been relatively stable for a number of years. But this regulatory environment is in the midst of fundamental change. This advisory provides a brief summary of existing principles of consumer privacy law, discusses recent developments in the area, and outlines how certain key principles are anticipated […]
The Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs: Changes to Meaningful Use and How to Collect on the Incentives
Yesterday, the final regulations that set forth the long-awaited framework for the adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems by eligible professionals (EPs) and eligible hospitals were published in the Federal Register. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Final Rule (the “Meaningful Use Final Rule”) that sets forth the requirements for […]
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: A Summary
Two days ago, on July 21, President Obama signed into law H.R. 4173, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”). All types of financial institutions will be subject to significant new conditions and limitations under the statute; nonfinancial, publicly traded companies will be faced with new obligations as well. As is […]