106 STAT. 368 PUBLIC LAW 102-321—JULY 10, 1992 42 USC 290dd-l. "SEC. 542. ADMISSION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSERS TO PRIVATE AND PUB- Lie HOSPITALS AND OUTPATIENT FACILITIES. "(a) NONDISCRIMINATION. — Substance abusers who are suffering from medical conditions shall not be discriminated against in admission or treatment, solely because of their substance abuse, by any private or public general hospital, or outpatient facility (as defined in section 1624(4)) which receives support in any form from any program supported in whole or in part by funds appropriated to any Federal department or agency. "(b) REGULATIONS. — "(1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall issue regulations for the enforcement of the policy of subsection (a) with respect to the admission and treatment of substance abusers in hospitals and outpatient facilities which receive support of any kind from any program administered by the Secretary. Such regulations shall include procedures for determining (after opportunity for a hearing if requested) if a violation of subsection (a) has occurred, notification of failure to comply with such subsection, and opportunity for a violator to comply with such subsection. If the Secretary determines that a hospital or outpatient facility subject to such regulations has violated subsection (a) and such violation continues sifter an opportunity has been afforded for compliance, the Secretary may suspend or revoke, after opportunity for a hearing, all or part of any support of any kind received by such hospital from any program administered by the Secretary. The Secretary may consult with the officials responsible for the administration of any other Federal program from which such hospital or outpatient facility receives support of any kind, with respect to the suspension or revocation of such other Federal support for such hospital or outpatient facility. "(2) DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.— The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Chief Medical Director, shall, to the maximum feasible extent consistent with their responsibilities under title 38, United States Code, prescribe regulations making applicable the regulations prescribed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) to the provision of hospital care, nursing home care, domiciliary care, and medical services under such title 38 to veterans suffering from substance abuse. In prescribing and implementing regulations pursuant to this paragraph, the Secretary shall, from time to time, consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services in order to achieve the maximum possible coordination of the regulations, and the implementation thereof, which they each prescribe. 42 USC 290dd-2. "SEC. 543. CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS. "(a) REQUIREMENT. —Records of the identity, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of any patient which are maintained in connection with the performance of any program or activity relating to substance abuse education, prevention, training, treatment, rehabilitation, or research, which is conducted, regulated, or directly or indirectly assisted by any department or agency of the United States shall, except as provided in subsection (e), be confidential and be disclosed only for the purposes and under the circumstances expressly authorized under subsection (b). " (b) PERMITTED DISCLOSURE. —
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