Chapter 7 Federal Statutes and Regulations That Impact Healthcare 131 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. than $40 billion to assist and provide incentives for physicians and hos- pitals to adopt electronic health records (EHRs). Because an expansion in the exchange of electronic protected health information (e-PHI) is expected, the HITECH Act also widens the scope of privacy and security protections available under HIPAA and increases the potential legal liability for non-compliance with its rules. The HITECH Act increases civil penalties for willful neglect and expands the reach of HIPAA’s data privacy and security requirements. These requirements now apply to the business associates of those enti- ties that are subject to HIPAA. Business associates include accounting firms, billing agencies, law firms, or other companies that provide ser- vices to HIPAA-covered entities. 21st Century Cures Act The 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law in 2016, promotes and funds the acceleration of research into preventing and curing serious illnesses. It also accelerates drug and medical device development, attempts to address the opioid abuse crises, and tries to improve men- tal health service delivery. The act includes a number of provisions that push for greater interoperability, adoption of electronic health records, and support for human services programs. Highlights of the bill include changes in the protection of health data. The HHS will be charged with revising health information privacy rules to allow: • researchers to use protected information for research purposes • researchers to remotely access health information • individuals to authorize future use of their information for research The bill encourages the use of electronic health record systems to collect data with the goal of enhancing research and treatment. It creates the Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee, targeting tracking of advancements in the treatment of serious mental illnesses and emo- tional disturbances. The Cures Act also addresses the Medicaid same-day billing issue. It allows Medicaid patients to see multiple professionals on the same day for different services, such as primary care and mental health services. 21st Century Cures Act act that promotes and funds research into preventing and curing serious illnesses, including mental illnesses