Not that it's objectionable to know from the doc what was wrong with mom, THE MOM is mad because the doctor violated her privacy. She just found out about HIPAA laws and she believes the doctor had no right to walk out of the room, walk over to the daughter and say "your mother took these drugs, etc."

From what I've read about HIPAA laws, the mom would have been required to sign a waver in order for that doctor to have been able to approach the daughter.

That's the basis of my question.

And this is not about me, mom died from smoking in 1995.

This happened to a friend of mine (who is the mom in this case).

Thanks much

And I agree, this is a gray area. I went online and I found out that when a young person tries to commit suicide ANYTHING that is discussed between doctor and patient is covered under the HIPAA laws unless the young person signs a release form.

Parents are now being left out in the cold with no access to medical info regarding their adult children.

I know there must be a good reason for this, but honestly, it must be very hard on parents.