I have been saying it for years now — pregnancy medical clinics must provide medical records for all patients/clients. Why? Because both federal and state regulations require that patients have a right to have access to their medical records.  Click here for HIPAA information

In NIFLA’s Legal Tips for December, the releasing medical records is explored in light of legal and ethical considerations. 

Some pregnancy medical clinics say they are trusting in their state’s conscience clause provisions to protect them from having to release records to clients who let them know that they plan to use the record to obtain abortions.  However, NIFLA concludes that state conscience clauses provisions “that protect healthcare providers from participating in abortions probably do not extend protection to the release of medical records.” 

Thank you NIFLA for setting the record straight.