Rippey and Humphrey Analyze Nationwide HIPAA Ruling in The New York Law Journal

07.25.2025

Stinson LLP attorneys Lisa Rippey and Elena Humphrey authored an article for The New York Law Journal titled "Federal Court Invalidates Reproductive Health Privacy Rule: Strategic Compliance and HIPAA Implications." In the article, they examine the significant implications of a federal court’s decision to vacate amendments to the HIPAA Privacy Rule which were intended to strengthen protections around reproductive health care data.

The article focuses on Purl v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a June 18, 2025, decision from the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas that invalidates most of the 2024 HIPAA amendments. The court concluded that the Department of Health and Human Services exceeded its authority, holding that the rule unlawfully redefined key statutory terms and improperly conflicted with state laws on issues such as child abuse reporting and public health.

Rippey and Humphrey break down the rule’s broad impact on HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates, outlining compliance strategies for navigating a fractured legal landscape where federal protections have been rolled back but state-level requirements remain. Their analysis underscores the legal uncertainty the remains for health care providers, insurers and employers in the wake of the Purl decision, as well as the need for proactive compliance planning.

Rippey advises employers, insurers, and third-party administrators on the creation, maintenance and regulatory compliance of health and welfare, retirement and executive compensation plans under ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, the Internal Revenue Code and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Humphrey helps employers across industries navigate employee benefits and executive compensation matters, with a focus on compliance with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

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