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NM Lawmakers Probe Possible Breach Of Health Record Confidentiality

A New Mexico legislative subcommittee wants an investigation of whether the state improperly put at risk the confidentiality of names of people treated for substance abuse.

Democratic Sen. Howie Morales of Silver City raised the possibility of violation of patient privacy laws during a subcommittee's meeting Monday.

Morales said a digital version of paperwork listing people previously treated for alcohol or drug abuse was sent in an unsecure email to new providers of mental health services.

The director of the state behavioral health services unit said Morales' allegation was news to her. Diana McWilliams also said the state is always careful to obey privacy laws.

The new providers replace ones ousted as a result of an audit that alleged fraud.

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