U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Bill Cassidy, M.D., introduced, on 9 February 2022, to the U.S. Senate, Senate Bill 3620 for the Health Data Use and Privacy Commission Act. In particular, the bill would form a health and privacy commission to, among others:

• conduct a coordinated and comprehensive review and comparison of existing protections for personal health information at the state and federal level, as well as current practices for health data use by the health care, insurance, financial services, consumer electronics, advertising, and other industries;
• provide recommendations to the U.S. Congress on whether federal legislation is needed to modernise health data privacy, and if so, how to do it; and
• be charged with submitting a report to the U.S. Congress and the President six months after all members are appointed, and include 17 members to be appointed by the U.S. Comptroller General.

In addition, Cassidy stated that "As a doctor, the potential of new technology to improve patient care seems limitless. But Americans must be able to trust that their personal health data is protected if this technology can meet its full potential. HIPAA must be updated for the modern day. This legislation starts this process on a pathway to make sure it is done right."

Moreover, Baldwin stated that "I am excited to introduce the bipartisan Health Data Use and Privacy Commission Act to help inform how we can modernise health care privacy laws and regulations to give Americans peace of mind that their personal health information is safe, while ensuring that we have the tools we need to advance high-quality care".

You can read the press release here and the bill here, and track its progress here.