The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a lawsuit by privacy advocates alleging that a federal rule on the disclosure of personal information on electronic health records is insufficient, the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The federal rule, implemented in 2003, allows health care providers to decide whether to seek patients' consent before using or disclosing medical information electronically for routine purposes. The rule requires that disclosure be limited to the "minimum necessary" information. Under the federal rule, states are allowed to enact more restrictive measures. The lawsuit was brought by 10 groups representing 750,000 consumers, health care providers and patients (AP/Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/3).

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