On Tuesday, Chamber of Progress sent a letter to Washington State lawmakers, urging lawmakers to amend health data privacy legislation (ESHB 1155), clarifying new regulations around what constitutes health data as well as how to comply with the law. Without amendment, Chamber of Progress warns, the health data privacy bill could unintentionally sweep up non-health related data and limit access to telehealth services.

Read Chamber of Progress’s full letter here.

From the letter:

“In the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, it is crucial that Washingtonians be able to access health services and information without fear of surveillance. We commend both chambers for their leadership and thoughtfulness by advancing this legislation to protect people from harm by safeguarding health data. This legislation can further prevent bad actors from exploiting private health data and causing consumers’ harm. While Chamber of Progress supports the intent of ESHB 1155 to protect consumers, there remain two technical changes that would prevent unintended consequences, which risk diluting the efficacy of this bill.”

###

Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future.  We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.  

Our corporate partners do not have a vote on or veto over our positions. We do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree.