No, HIPAA only applies to people who work in the health sector or are associated with it. Anyone else, including journalists and media people don't have to follow these rules. They can talk about the healt status of others as they please. The only concern would be defamation but that's also only an issue if the statement is false.
While HIPAA doesn't apply in this case, it's irrelevant. It could still be considered Publication of a Private Fact which is punishable under US law.
It's unlikely this would be successful but there is enough grounds for a lawsuit to not be thrown out immediately.
I don't think so. I also don't think that a reasonable person would be offended by having their vaccination status disclosed. So winning a potential lawsuit would be unlikely.
But I think there is enough grounds to at least have it go to trial. While claiming a HIPAA violation wouldn't even make it that far since it doesn't apply here.
There's also defamation per se which can apply to salacious details like HIV status and some other things I can't remember (that class was a long time ago and I spent all my time in title 26) where even if the info is true, it's still defamatory. I've only skimmed this article but I like generally Cornell Law Library.
I read through it but defamation per se still talks about false statements. The difference is that you don't have to prove damages.
But while reading up on it, turns out the first comment was indeed right. Publication of a Private Fact can be punishable even if the statement is true.
It's very questionable wether the statement fulfills the requirements. It's already publicly known that FOX employees require vaccinations and it's doubtful disclosing this fact is offensive to a reasonable person but there is at least some potential here.
So then why do we have to watch those horrendous videos on the disclosure of PHI, even in non-related fields? I do it yearly and have been Clockwork-Orange-educated into knowing what it looks like, how it should be transmitted, etc.
It really makes me think the company would be liable in some way.
I believe that the non-disclosure applies to companies or individuals who have a relationship with a person as a client, or some other kind of business relationship. My doctor or insurance company has to protect my medical information, but if my neighbor finds out I'm rocking just one nut, he can tell anyone he wants.
Heck no it doesn't. I've seen enough compliance videos to know it extends to companies. At the very least, Fox is liable if not the lady who knowingly said it. The only trick would be to prove she knew that she was disclosing PHI. Hence, I predict an apology of some sort (written or on cam) to clarify "she didn't know what she was doing" so they fend off the potential for that. Still, the corp would be liable but they probably have a floor or two of lawyers.