Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the My Health Records Amendment (Strengthening Privacy) Bill 2018

This short submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into the My Health Records Amendment (Strengthening Privacy) Bill 2018 supports the amendments, including requiring a court order before a third party such as a law enforcement body can obtain a record. Research Australia maintains that, under an opt-out model, public confidence is essential to participation in My Health Record and to its benefits for care, the health system and research using deidentified data, citing Productivity Commission reports. Its June 2018 polling found 90% of respondents supported researchers’ use of deidentified medical records, and its 2017 polling found 67% highly or very highly trusted researchers with their health information.