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Iowa and Pennsylvania: health record laws compared
Iowa and Pennsylvania, side by side on the seven questions, with the laws read October 3, 2026. They give different answers on health data outside HIPAA, getting a copy, genetic records, breach notice and AI in care, and the same answer on everything else.
The seven questions, side by side
"Differs" marks a question where the answers are not the same; "same" marks one where they are. "Can't compare" means at least one answer was not checked; a not-checked answer is not a no. Where a question has a map, the small square shows the color each column has on it. Each citation opens that state's page, with the law quoted, dated and linked. There is no total and no rank: the questions are on different scales, and some have no best answer.
| Question | Iowa | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Health data outside HIPAADo apps and wearables need your OK before sharing health data?differs | Opt-out onlyOpt-out only. A privacy law treats health data as sensitive, but you have to tell a business to stop.Iowa Code §715D.4(2); Iowa Code §715D.2(1) | No law foundWe searched the official code and found none.How we searched |
| Getting a copyDo you get a copy faster or free in some cases?differs | Free copy in some casesIn one way: a free copy in at least one case.Iowa Code §622.10(6); Iowa Code §622.10(6)(b) | NeitherNo. A law is in force, but it adds nothing to HIPAA's terms.42 Pa.C.S. § 6155(b)(1); 42 Pa.C.S. § 6152(a)(2)(i) |
| Health information exchangeCan you say no to sharing through a health information exchange (a network that passes records between doctors)?same | Opt-outOpt-out. Your records go through the exchange unless you say no, and there is a published way to say no.Iowa Code §135D.7(1)(c)(2); Iowa Code §135D.7(7) | Opt-outOpt-out. Your records go through the exchange unless you say no, and there is a published way to say no.Human Services Code (Act of June 13, 1967, P.L.31, No.21) § 1407-C(c)(1), added by Act 76 of 2016; Human Services Code § 1407-C(b) |
| Are some sensitive records, like mental health or HIV, given extra rules? These answers record whether a rule exists and what it says. They say nothing about whether any care is legal or available. | ||
| Reproductive health recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Iowa Code §144.29A(3) | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.18 Pa.C.S. § 3214(e)(2) |
| Mental health recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Iowa Code §228.2(1) | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Mental Health Procedures Act § 111(a) (Act 143 of 1976; 50 P.S. § 7111) |
| HIV recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Iowa Code §141A.9(1) | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Act 148 of 1990, § 7(a) (35 P.S. § 7607) |
| Genetic recordsdiffers | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Iowa Code §729.6(3)(b) | No law foundWe searched the official code and found none.How we searched |
| Right to sueCan you sue if your records are misused?same | Narrow case onlyOnly in a narrow case, such as a data breach or one kind of record. The laws below say which.Iowa Code §141A.11(1); Iowa Code §729.6(8) | Narrow case onlyOnly in a narrow case, such as a data breach or one kind of record. The laws below say which.Act 148 of 1990, § 10 (35 P.S. § 7610); Act 94 of 2005, § 8 (73 P.S. § 2308) |
| Breach noticeMust you be told if health data leaks in a breach?differs | NeitherNo. The breach notice law covers neither medical nor health insurance information.Iowa Code §715C.1(11); Iowa Code §715C.2(1), (7)(d), (8) | Medical and insurance dataYes. The breach notice law covers both medical information and health insurance information.Act 94 of 2005, § 2 (73 P.S. § 2302), as amended by Act 33 of 2024; Act 94 of 2005, § 3(c.1) (73 P.S. § 2303) |
| AI in careAre there rules for AI used in your care?differs | 1 of 3 rulesOne of the three rules is in force. A licensed clinician decides, not AI alone.Another law is signed and takes effect July 1, 2027.2026 Iowa Acts ch 1087 (HF 2635), §2, adding Iowa Code §514F.8(2A); 2026 Iowa Acts ch 1068 (SF 2417), §5, Iowa Code §554J.5 | No law foundWe searched the official code and found none.How we searched |
Not legal advice. This records what each law said on the date we read it. Laws and court orders change. State laws add to the federal floor. The United States score in the world index rates only federal law and national systems, so these state profiles do not change it.
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Health Record Rights Index by SuperTruth. Research tool, not legal advice. Our own words are CC BY 4.0; quoted law and source titles stay with their owners.