Patient Access to Records, 45454-45457 [2013-18057]

Download as PDF 45454 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 145 / Monday, July 29, 2013 / Rules and Regulations the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) Admiralty and Maritime Law has determined that USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply. DATES: This rule is effective July 29, 2013 and is applicable beginning July 16, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Jocelyn Loftus-Williams, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney, (Admiralty and Maritime Law), Office of the Judge Advocate General, Department of the Navy, 1322 Patterson Ave. SE., Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374–5066, telephone number: 202– 685–5040. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the authority granted in 33 U.S.C. 1605, the DoN amends 32 CFR Part 706. This amendment provides notice that the DAJAG (Admiralty and Maritime Law) of the DoN, under authority delegated by the Secretary of the Navy, has certified that USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with the following specific provisions of 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship: Annex I, paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the horizontal distance between the forward and after masthead lights. The DAJAG (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has also certified that the lights involved are located in closest possible compliance with the applicable 72 COLREGS requirements. Moreover, it has been determined, in accordance with 32 CFR Parts 296 and 701, that publication of this amendment for public comment prior to adoption is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to public interest since it is based on technical findings that the placement of lights on this vessel in a manner differently from that prescribed herein will adversely affect the vessel’s ability to perform its military functions. List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706 Marine safety, Navigation (water), and Vessels. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, amend part 706 of title 32 of the CFR as follows: PART 706—CERTIFICATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972 1. The authority citation for part 706 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605. 2. In § 706.2, in Table 5, revise the entry for USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52) to read as follows: ■ § 706.2 Certifications of the Secretary of the Navy under Executive Order 11964 and 33 U.S.C. 1605. * * * * * TABLE FIVE Vessel No. Masthead light not over all other lights and obstructions Annex I, Section 2(f) * * * USS BUNKER HILL ............................................................................. * CG 52 * ..................... * * * * * * * * Approved: July 16, 2013. A.B. Fischer, Captain, JAGC, U.S. Navy, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and Maritime Law). Dated: July 18, 2013. C.K. Chiappetta, Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2013–18100 Filed 7–26–13; 8:45 am] mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:11 Jul 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 * 38 CFR Part 1 RIN 2900–AO61 Patient Access to Records Department of Veterans Affairs. Final rule. AGENCY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its regulation governing disclosure of information to veterans and other beneficiaries. The current regulation provides for a special procedure for evaluating sensitive records and determining whether an individual may gain access to his or her own records. The special procedure allows VA to prevent an individual’s access to his or her own records if VA determines that such release could have an adverse effect on the physical or SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 After masthead light less than 1⁄2 ship’s length aft of forward masthead light Annex I, Section 3(a) X * X * DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ACTION: Forward masthead light not in forward quarter of ship. Annex I, section 3(a) * Percentage horizontal separation attained * 36.98 * mental health of a requesting individual. We have determined that this special procedure is contrary to law, and therefore remove it from the current regulation. DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective July 29, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephania Griffin, Veterans Health Administration Privacy Officer, Office of Informatics and Analytics (10P2C), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, (704) 245–2492. (This is not a toll-free number.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act), 5 U.S.C. 552a, requires federal agencies maintaining a system of records to disclose to an individual any record or information pertaining to that individual upon request. The Privacy E:\FR\FM\29JYR1.SGM 29JYR1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 145 / Monday, July 29, 2013 / Rules and Regulations Act provides safeguards for an individual against an invasion of personal privacy by requiring federal agencies to permit an individual to (1) determine what records pertaining to that individual are collected, maintained, used, or disseminated; (2) prevent records pertaining to that individual obtained by the agency for a particular purpose from being used or made available for another purpose without consent; and (3) gain access to information pertaining to that individual in agency records, to have a copy made of all or any portion thereof, and to correct or amend such records. Federal agencies are required by the Privacy Act to establish procedures for the disclosure to an individual upon his request of his record or information pertaining to him. These procedures may include, if deemed necessary, a special procedure ‘‘for the disclosure to an individual of medical records, including psychological records, pertaining to him.’’ 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3). However, the end result of any procedure, including the special procedure, must be disclosure of the records to the requesting individual. Bavido v. Apfel, 215 F.3d 743 (7th Cir. 2000). Although agencies are allowed to establish such special procedures, they are not required to do so. Disclosure of VA records, however, has a competing authority. Under 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1), VA is required to disclose files, records, reports, and other documents pertaining to a claimant only when, in the judgment of VA, the disclosure ‘‘would not be injurious to the physical or mental health of the claimant.’’ VA developed a special procedure, pursuant to the Privacy Act and section 5701(b)(1), at 38 CFR 1.577(d). Under current § 1.577(d), in those cases where records contain information that may be injurious to the physical or mental health of the claimant, VA will either disclose the records to a physician or other professional person selected by the claimant, who can then disclose the information as that professional person may believe is indicated; arrange for the claimant to meet with a VA physician for a discussion of the contents before disclosure; or decide not to disclose the information. Denials of disclosure or access may be appealed to VA’s Office of General Counsel. In Benavides v. U.S. Bureau of Prisons, 995 F.2d 269 (D.C. Cir. 1993), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit considered a Department of Justice (DOJ) regulation that was published as a special procedure under 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3). In that case, the DOJ regulation allowed the agency to VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:11 Jul 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 prevent disclosure to an individual of records pertaining to that individual. Instead, the DOJ regulation permitted the agency to disclose sensitive records to a physician designated by the requesting individual and required the designated physician to determine which records to disclose to the individual. Benavides, 995 F.2d at 271– 72. The court held that this regulation was not permissible under 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3) because ‘‘[a] regulation that expressly contemplates that the requesting individual may never see certain medical records is simply not a special procedure for disclosure to that person.’’ Benavides, 995 F.2d at 272. The special procedure in § 1.577(d) is similar to that considered by the court in Benavides. It operationalizes the requirement found in 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1) that VA disclose information to a veteran as to matters concerning the veteran only after VA determines that the disclosure would not be injurious to the physical or mental health of the veteran. Both the statute and regulation allow VA to withhold information it believes would be injurious. Thus, 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1) and § 1.577(d) directly conflict with the Privacy Act. We have determined that the Privacy Act governs decisions regarding disclosure to a veteran of information pertaining to that veteran. The Act supersedes 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1) to the extent 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1) applies to Privacy Act protected records and is controlling. As a general rule of statutory construction, where two laws on the same subject are in conflict and the conflict cannot be reconciled, the later enacted law controls to the extent of the conflict. J.E.M. Ag Supply, Inc. v. Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., 534 U.S. 124 (2001); U.S. v. Borden Co., 308 U.S. 188 (1939); 1A Norman J. Singer & J.D. Shambie Singer, Sutherland Statutes and Statutory Construction § 23:9 (7th ed. 2009). This rule of construction is resorted to only when there is clearly an irreconcilable conflict, or the subsequent act of Congress clearly is intended to occupy the entire field covered by the prior enactment, and all other means of interpretation have been exhausted. Elephant Butte Irrigation Dist. of New Mexico v. U.S. Dep’t of Interior, 269 F.3d 1158 (10th Cir. 2001). The Privacy Act is applicable to all executive agencies and requires agencies to disclose to requesting individuals the content of records pertaining to them. It was intended to help individuals gain access to government records about themselves and to correct erroneous information in those records. Blazy v. Tenet, 194 F.3d PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 45455 90, 95–96 (D.C. Cir. 1999). The Privacy Act was enacted to promote ‘‘governmental respect for the privacy of citizens by requiring all departments and agencies of the executive branch and their employees to observe certain constitutional rules in the computerization, collection, management, use, and disclosure of personal information about individuals.’’ S. Rep. No. 93–1183 (1974). When the individual to whom the information pertains is also the individual requesting the information, the Privacy Act presumes that disclosure to that individual will occur. Wren v. Harris, 675 F.2d 1144, 1146 (10th Cir. 1982); see also Bavido, 215 F.3d at 750; Benavides, 995 F.2d at 272. The Privacy Act allows agencies to exempt certain records from access by the individual to whom the records pertain. These exemptions are found at 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(5), 5 U.S.C. 552a(j), and 5 U.S.C. 552a(k). The content of veterans’ records is not included as an exemption to disclosure under the Privacy Act. Because Congress recognized specific exceptions in the Privacy Act but did not authorize the exception in section 5701(b)(1) either specifically or through a general exception similar to the one in section 5701(b)(1), we believe the legislative intent behind the Privacy Act was to provide individuals with an unqualified right of access to their own health records. 2A Norman J. Singer & J.D. Shambie Singer, Sutherland Statutes and Statutory Construction § 47:23 (7th ed. 2009) (the express mention of one thing implies the exclusion of others). The Privacy Act authorizes agencies to promulgate rules administering the process by which individuals may request records. However, as noted by the court in Bavido, while agencies are allowed under 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3) to develop special procedures for disclosure of health records in cases in which direct transmission could adversely affect a requesting individual, ‘‘under the plain wording of the statute, these procedures eventually must lead to disclosure of the records to the requesting individual.’’ Bavido, 215 F.3d at 750. Section 30 of The World War Veteran’s Act of 1924, Public Law 68– 242, codified as 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1), is applicable to all VA records. The statute contains mandatory language, and it makes disclosure to requesting individuals conditional on VA finding that the content of the record will not be injurious to the physical or mental health of the veteran. Nondisclosure is required if VA determines that disclosure of the content will be E:\FR\FM\29JYR1.SGM 29JYR1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES 45456 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 145 / Monday, July 29, 2013 / Rules and Regulations injurious. The two laws cannot be harmonized to the extent they both apply to Privacy Act protected records, as compliance with one means noncompliance with the other. We therefore find that the Privacy Act, which is the later enacted statute, is controlling authority with respect to Privacy Act protected records such as a veteran’s medical records and claims files. The special procedure in § 1.577(d) was published under the authority of the Privacy Act, but also recognizes the nondisclosure requirement provided for in 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1). This result is contrary to the letter, spirit, and intent of the Privacy Act. As the Privacy Act controls and is the last legislative expression regarding disclosure to individuals of Privacy Act protected records, we remove the special procedure from § 1.577(d) in its entirety and publish this as a final rule, as removal of the procedure as written is mandated by law. While VA has the authority to establish a special procedure for disclosure of medical and mental health treatment records, we believe that any such special procedure places an unwarranted barrier to the veteran’s access to information and is not needed. VA believes that imposing a special procedure on disclosure is contrary to our goal of providing patient-centered care, which depends on the full and timely sharing of information and full, informed patient participation in decision making regarding current and future health care. Removing barriers to a veteran’s access to VA records will support a provider-patient relationship based on mutual trust and sharing of information and promote patient autonomy and shared decision making. Removing this regulation will directly benefit veterans by increasing access to their own health records and fulfill the intent of the Privacy Act by allowing the veteran to determine what records VA maintains and whether the content of those records should be amended. In addition, the process of reviewing the content of existing health records for the existence of ‘‘sensitive’’ material diverts valuable resources that would otherwise be used to deliver medical services because doctors must take time away from direct medical care of veterans to review materials in records that must ultimately be provided to the veteran in any circumstance. Finally, the process thwarts VA’s goal of providing veterans with direct access to information contained in their electronic health record (EHR). For example, health records marked as containing ‘‘sensitive’’ material cannot VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:11 Jul 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 be made directly available to veterans via MyHealtheVet, the award-winning web-based VA tool that allows veterans to manage and access their health information. This could result in a twotiered system wherein only some veterans have access to their entire EHR. The remaining veterans would in effect be stigmatized due to flagged content in their health records. Administrative Procedure Act This final rule is an interpretive rule that merely reflects VA’s interpretation of the Privacy Act and 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1). Therefore, it is exempt from the prior notice-and-comment and delayed effective date requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A) and (d)(2). This final rule eliminates a special procedure that is contrary to law and a potential barrier to VA disclosing a veteran’s health information to that veteran upon request as required under the Privacy Act. Providing patients with access to records upon request is consistent with controlling privacy laws and prevailing practice and is not controversial. This action will directly benefit veterans by eliminating a barrier to veterans receiving information that they are otherwise entitled to receive. Effect of Rulemaking Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as revised by this final rulemaking, represents VA’s implementation of its legal authority on this subject. Other than future amendments to this regulation or governing statutes, no contrary guidance or procedures are authorized. All existing or subsequent VA guidance must be read to conform with this rulemaking if possible or, if not possible, such guidance is superseded by this rulemaking. Paperwork Reduction Act This final rule contains no provisions constituting a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3521). Regulatory Flexibility Act The Secretary hereby certifies that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–612. This final rule will directly affect only individuals and will not directly affect small entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this rulemaking is exempt from the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Executive Order 12866 and 13563 Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a ‘‘significant regulatory action,’’ requiring review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) unless OMB waives such review, as ‘‘any regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President’s priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive Order.’’ VA has examined the economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy implications of this regulatory action, and it has been determined not to be a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Unfunded Mandates The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year. This final rule will have no such effect on State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers and titles for the programs affected by this document are 64.007, Blind Rehabilitation Centers; E:\FR\FM\29JYR1.SGM 29JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 145 / Monday, July 29, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 64.008, Veterans Domiciliary Care; 64.009, Veterans Medical Care Benefits; 64.010, Veterans Nursing Home Care; 64.011, Veterans Dental Care; 64.012, Veterans Prescription Service; and 64.022, Veterans Home Based Primary Care. Signing Authority The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jose D. Riojas, Interim Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document on June 26, 2013, for publication. List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 1 Administrative practice and procedure, Archives and records, Cemeteries, Claims, Courts, Crime, Flags, Freedom of information, Government contracts, Government employees, Government property, Infants and children, Inventions and patents, Parking, Penalties, Privacy, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seals and insignia, Security measures, Wages. Dated: July 23, 2013. Robert C. McFetridge, Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs. For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of Veterans Affairs amends 38 CFR part 1 as follows: PART 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), and as noted in specific sections. 2. Amend § 1.577 by: a. Removing paragraph (d). ■ b. Redesignating paragraphs (e) through (g) as new paragraphs (d) through (f), respectively. ■ c. In newly designated paragraph (e)(3), in the ‘‘Activity and Fees’’ table, removing ‘‘(f)(1)’’ and adding, in its place, ‘‘(e)(1)’’. ■ mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES ■ [FR Doc. 2013–18057 Filed 7–26–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320–01–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:11 Jul 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 45457 Wynkoop, Denver, Colorado 80202– 1129, (303) 312–7104, clark.adam@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [EPA–R08–OAR–2012–0348; FRL–9839–8] Definitions Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plans; State of North Dakota; Interstate Transport of Pollution for the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS For the purpose of this document, we are giving meaning to certain words or initials as follows: (i) The words or initials Act or CAA mean or refer to the Clean Air Act. (ii) The words EPA, we, us or our mean or refer to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. (iii) The initials NAAQS mean or refer to National Ambient Air Quality Standards. (iv) The initials SIP mean or refer to State Implementation Plan. (v) The initials NDDH mean or refer to the North Dakota Department of Health. (vi) The words North Dakota and State mean the State of North Dakota. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: EPA is approving portions of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from the State of North Dakota which demonstrates that its SIP meets certain interstate transport requirements of the Clean Air Act (‘‘Act’’ or ‘‘CAA’’) for the 2006 fine particulate matter (‘‘PM2.5’’) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (‘‘NAAQS’’). Specifically, EPA is approving the portion of the North Dakota SIP submission that addresses the CAA requirement prohibiting emissions from North Dakota sources from significantly contributing to nonattainment of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in any other state or interfering with maintenance of the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS by any other state. DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective August 28, 2013. ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID No. EPA–R08–OAR–2012–0348. All documents in the docket are listed on the www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically through www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air Program, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202–1129. EPA requests that if at all possible, you contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to view the hard copy of the docket. You may view the hard copy of the docket Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Clark, Air Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, Mailcode 8P–AR, 1595 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Table of Contents I. Background II. Response to Comments III. Final Action IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews I. Background On October 17, 2006 EPA promulgated a new NAAQS for PM2.5, revising the level of the 24-hour PM2.5 standard to 35 mg/m3 and retaining the level of the annual PM2.5 standard at 15 mg/m3. (71 FR 61144). By statute, SIPs meeting the ‘‘infrastructure’’ requirements of CAA sections 110(a)(1) and (2) are to be submitted by states within three years after promulgation of a new or revised standard. Among the infrastructure requirements of section 110(a)(2) are the ‘‘interstate transport’’ requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D). CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) identifies four distinct elements related to the evaluation of impacts of interstate transport of air pollutants. In this action for the state of North Dakota, EPA is addressing the first two elements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) with respect to the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.1 The first element of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) requires that each SIP for a new or revised NAAQS contain adequate provisions to prohibit any source or other type of emissions activity within the state from emitting air pollutants that will ‘‘contribute significantly to nonattainment’’ of the NAAQS in 1 This action does not address the two elements of the transport SIP provision (in CAA section 110(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)) regarding interference with measures required to prevent significant deterioration of air quality or to protect visibility in another state. We will act on these elements in a separate rulemaking. E:\FR\FM\29JYR1.SGM 29JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45454-45457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18057]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Part 1

RIN 2900-AO61


Patient Access to Records

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its regulation 
governing disclosure of information to veterans and other 
beneficiaries. The current regulation provides for a special procedure 
for evaluating sensitive records and determining whether an individual 
may gain access to his or her own records. The special procedure allows 
VA to prevent an individual's access to his or her own records if VA 
determines that such release could have an adverse effect on the 
physical or mental health of a requesting individual. We have 
determined that this special procedure is contrary to law, and 
therefore remove it from the current regulation.

DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective July 29, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephania Griffin, Veterans Health 
Administration Privacy Officer, Office of Informatics and Analytics 
(10P2C), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, (704) 245-2492. 
(This is not a toll-free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act), 5 
U.S.C. 552a, requires federal agencies maintaining a system of records 
to disclose to an individual any record or information pertaining to 
that individual upon request. The Privacy

[[Page 45455]]

Act provides safeguards for an individual against an invasion of 
personal privacy by requiring federal agencies to permit an individual 
to (1) determine what records pertaining to that individual are 
collected, maintained, used, or disseminated; (2) prevent records 
pertaining to that individual obtained by the agency for a particular 
purpose from being used or made available for another purpose without 
consent; and (3) gain access to information pertaining to that 
individual in agency records, to have a copy made of all or any portion 
thereof, and to correct or amend such records.
    Federal agencies are required by the Privacy Act to establish 
procedures for the disclosure to an individual upon his request of his 
record or information pertaining to him. These procedures may include, 
if deemed necessary, a special procedure ``for the disclosure to an 
individual of medical records, including psychological records, 
pertaining to him.'' 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3). However, the end result of 
any procedure, including the special procedure, must be disclosure of 
the records to the requesting individual. Bavido v. Apfel, 215 F.3d 743 
(7th Cir. 2000). Although agencies are allowed to establish such 
special procedures, they are not required to do so.
    Disclosure of VA records, however, has a competing authority. Under 
38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1), VA is required to disclose files, records, 
reports, and other documents pertaining to a claimant only when, in the 
judgment of VA, the disclosure ``would not be injurious to the physical 
or mental health of the claimant.''
    VA developed a special procedure, pursuant to the Privacy Act and 
section 5701(b)(1), at 38 CFR 1.577(d). Under current Sec.  1.577(d), 
in those cases where records contain information that may be injurious 
to the physical or mental health of the claimant, VA will either 
disclose the records to a physician or other professional person 
selected by the claimant, who can then disclose the information as that 
professional person may believe is indicated; arrange for the claimant 
to meet with a VA physician for a discussion of the contents before 
disclosure; or decide not to disclose the information. Denials of 
disclosure or access may be appealed to VA's Office of General Counsel.
    In Benavides v. U.S. Bureau of Prisons, 995 F.2d 269 (D.C. Cir. 
1993), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit considered a 
Department of Justice (DOJ) regulation that was published as a special 
procedure under 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3). In that case, the DOJ regulation 
allowed the agency to prevent disclosure to an individual of records 
pertaining to that individual. Instead, the DOJ regulation permitted 
the agency to disclose sensitive records to a physician designated by 
the requesting individual and required the designated physician to 
determine which records to disclose to the individual. Benavides, 995 
F.2d at 271-72. The court held that this regulation was not permissible 
under 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3) because ``[a] regulation that expressly 
contemplates that the requesting individual may never see certain 
medical records is simply not a special procedure for disclosure to 
that person.'' Benavides, 995 F.2d at 272.
    The special procedure in Sec.  1.577(d) is similar to that 
considered by the court in Benavides. It operationalizes the 
requirement found in 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1) that VA disclose information 
to a veteran as to matters concerning the veteran only after VA 
determines that the disclosure would not be injurious to the physical 
or mental health of the veteran. Both the statute and regulation allow 
VA to withhold information it believes would be injurious.
    Thus, 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1) and Sec.  1.577(d) directly conflict 
with the Privacy Act. We have determined that the Privacy Act governs 
decisions regarding disclosure to a veteran of information pertaining 
to that veteran. The Act supersedes 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1) to the extent 
38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1) applies to Privacy Act protected records and is 
controlling. As a general rule of statutory construction, where two 
laws on the same subject are in conflict and the conflict cannot be 
reconciled, the later enacted law controls to the extent of the 
conflict. J.E.M. Ag Supply, Inc. v. Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., 
534 U.S. 124 (2001); U.S. v. Borden Co., 308 U.S. 188 (1939); 1A Norman 
J. Singer & J.D. Shambie Singer, Sutherland Statutes and Statutory 
Construction Sec.  23:9 (7th ed. 2009). This rule of construction is 
resorted to only when there is clearly an irreconcilable conflict, or 
the subsequent act of Congress clearly is intended to occupy the entire 
field covered by the prior enactment, and all other means of 
interpretation have been exhausted. Elephant Butte Irrigation Dist. of 
New Mexico v. U.S. Dep't of Interior, 269 F.3d 1158 (10th Cir. 2001).
    The Privacy Act is applicable to all executive agencies and 
requires agencies to disclose to requesting individuals the content of 
records pertaining to them. It was intended to help individuals gain 
access to government records about themselves and to correct erroneous 
information in those records. Blazy v. Tenet, 194 F.3d 90, 95-96 (D.C. 
Cir. 1999). The Privacy Act was enacted to promote ``governmental 
respect for the privacy of citizens by requiring all departments and 
agencies of the executive branch and their employees to observe certain 
constitutional rules in the computerization, collection, management, 
use, and disclosure of personal information about individuals.'' S. 
Rep. No. 93-1183 (1974). When the individual to whom the information 
pertains is also the individual requesting the information, the Privacy 
Act presumes that disclosure to that individual will occur. Wren v. 
Harris, 675 F.2d 1144, 1146 (10th Cir. 1982); see also Bavido, 215 F.3d 
at 750; Benavides, 995 F.2d at 272.
    The Privacy Act allows agencies to exempt certain records from 
access by the individual to whom the records pertain. These exemptions 
are found at 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(5), 5 U.S.C. 552a(j), and 5 U.S.C. 
552a(k). The content of veterans' records is not included as an 
exemption to disclosure under the Privacy Act. Because Congress 
recognized specific exceptions in the Privacy Act but did not authorize 
the exception in section 5701(b)(1) either specifically or through a 
general exception similar to the one in section 5701(b)(1), we believe 
the legislative intent behind the Privacy Act was to provide 
individuals with an unqualified right of access to their own health 
records. 2A Norman J. Singer & J.D. Shambie Singer, Sutherland Statutes 
and Statutory Construction Sec.  47:23 (7th ed. 2009) (the express 
mention of one thing implies the exclusion of others).
    The Privacy Act authorizes agencies to promulgate rules 
administering the process by which individuals may request records. 
However, as noted by the court in Bavido, while agencies are allowed 
under 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3) to develop special procedures for disclosure 
of health records in cases in which direct transmission could adversely 
affect a requesting individual, ``under the plain wording of the 
statute, these procedures eventually must lead to disclosure of the 
records to the requesting individual.'' Bavido, 215 F.3d at 750.
    Section 30 of The World War Veteran's Act of 1924, Public Law 68-
242, codified as 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1), is applicable to all VA records. 
The statute contains mandatory language, and it makes disclosure to 
requesting individuals conditional on VA finding that the content of 
the record will not be injurious to the physical or mental health of 
the veteran. Nondisclosure is required if VA determines that disclosure 
of the content will be

[[Page 45456]]

injurious. The two laws cannot be harmonized to the extent they both 
apply to Privacy Act protected records, as compliance with one means 
noncompliance with the other. We therefore find that the Privacy Act, 
which is the later enacted statute, is controlling authority with 
respect to Privacy Act protected records such as a veteran's medical 
records and claims files.
    The special procedure in Sec.  1.577(d) was published under the 
authority of the Privacy Act, but also recognizes the nondisclosure 
requirement provided for in 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1). This result is 
contrary to the letter, spirit, and intent of the Privacy Act. As the 
Privacy Act controls and is the last legislative expression regarding 
disclosure to individuals of Privacy Act protected records, we remove 
the special procedure from Sec.  1.577(d) in its entirety and publish 
this as a final rule, as removal of the procedure as written is 
mandated by law.
    While VA has the authority to establish a special procedure for 
disclosure of medical and mental health treatment records, we believe 
that any such special procedure places an unwarranted barrier to the 
veteran's access to information and is not needed. VA believes that 
imposing a special procedure on disclosure is contrary to our goal of 
providing patient-centered care, which depends on the full and timely 
sharing of information and full, informed patient participation in 
decision making regarding current and future health care. Removing 
barriers to a veteran's access to VA records will support a provider-
patient relationship based on mutual trust and sharing of information 
and promote patient autonomy and shared decision making. Removing this 
regulation will directly benefit veterans by increasing access to their 
own health records and fulfill the intent of the Privacy Act by 
allowing the veteran to determine what records VA maintains and whether 
the content of those records should be amended.
    In addition, the process of reviewing the content of existing 
health records for the existence of ``sensitive'' material diverts 
valuable resources that would otherwise be used to deliver medical 
services because doctors must take time away from direct medical care 
of veterans to review materials in records that must ultimately be 
provided to the veteran in any circumstance. Finally, the process 
thwarts VA's goal of providing veterans with direct access to 
information contained in their electronic health record (EHR). For 
example, health records marked as containing ``sensitive'' material 
cannot be made directly available to veterans via MyHealtheVet, the 
award-winning web-based VA tool that allows veterans to manage and 
access their health information. This could result in a two-tiered 
system wherein only some veterans have access to their entire EHR. The 
remaining veterans would in effect be stigmatized due to flagged 
content in their health records.

Administrative Procedure Act

    This final rule is an interpretive rule that merely reflects VA's 
interpretation of the Privacy Act and 38 U.S.C. 5701(b)(1). Therefore, 
it is exempt from the prior notice-and-comment and delayed effective 
date requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A) and (d)(2). 
This final rule eliminates a special procedure that is contrary to law 
and a potential barrier to VA disclosing a veteran's health information 
to that veteran upon request as required under the Privacy Act. 
Providing patients with access to records upon request is consistent 
with controlling privacy laws and prevailing practice and is not 
controversial. This action will directly benefit veterans by 
eliminating a barrier to veterans receiving information that they are 
otherwise entitled to receive.

Effect of Rulemaking

    Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as revised by this 
final rulemaking, represents VA's implementation of its legal authority 
on this subject. Other than future amendments to this regulation or 
governing statutes, no contrary guidance or procedures are authorized. 
All existing or subsequent VA guidance must be read to conform with 
this rulemaking if possible or, if not possible, such guidance is 
superseded by this rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule contains no provisions constituting a collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary hereby certifies that this final rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-
612. This final rule will directly affect only individuals and will not 
directly affect small entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), 
this rulemaking is exempt from the initial and final regulatory 
flexibility analysis requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604.

Executive Order 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; 
and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. 
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a 
``significant regulatory action,'' requiring review by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) unless OMB waives such review, as ``any 
regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have 
an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely 
affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, 
productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or 
safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) 
Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action 
taken or planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary 
impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the 
rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal 
or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's 
priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive Order.''
    VA has examined the economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and 
policy implications of this regulatory action, and it has been 
determined not to be a significant regulatory action under Executive 
Order 12866.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and 
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any one year. This final rule will have no such effect on 
State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers and titles for 
the programs affected by this document are 64.007, Blind Rehabilitation 
Centers;

[[Page 45457]]

64.008, Veterans Domiciliary Care; 64.009, Veterans Medical Care 
Benefits; 64.010, Veterans Nursing Home Care; 64.011, Veterans Dental 
Care; 64.012, Veterans Prescription Service; and 64.022, Veterans Home 
Based Primary Care.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jose D. 
Riojas, Interim Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
approved this document on June 26, 2013, for publication.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 1

    Administrative practice and procedure, Archives and records, 
Cemeteries, Claims, Courts, Crime, Flags, Freedom of information, 
Government contracts, Government employees, Government property, 
Infants and children, Inventions and patents, Parking, Penalties, 
Privacy, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seals and insignia, 
Security measures, Wages.

    Dated: July 23, 2013.
Robert C. McFetridge,
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General 
Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of Veterans 
Affairs amends 38 CFR part 1 as follows:

PART 1--GENERAL PROVISIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  38 U.S.C. 501(a), and as noted in specific sections.

0
2. Amend Sec.  1.577 by:
0
a. Removing paragraph (d).
0
b. Redesignating paragraphs (e) through (g) as new paragraphs (d) 
through (f), respectively.
0
c. In newly designated paragraph (e)(3), in the ``Activity and Fees'' 
table, removing ``(f)(1)'' and adding, in its place, ``(e)(1)''.
[FR Doc. 2013-18057 Filed 7-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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