Don’t quite understand how HIPAA covers a birth from the 60s.
Wow, I was quite sure the HIPAA Law included a Hitler exemption.
"You have invasion of privacy issues other claims that can be brought against the individual releasing the information."
In that letter he released, he is acknowledging that he was born in the hospital. There is no invasion of privacy in this case. I don't see where it would be a violation of HIPPA to confirm it. They are not releasing any private info. on him. By his releasing that letter, he is, in effect, giving them consent to release that specific part of his record which he himself has already released. No details. Just a simple "yes" or "no" - was he born there.
It’s not just the HIPAA, credentialing boards for medical professionals and institutions also have strict prohibiton against divulging medical records. Also, there is a historically strong, but informal, code of ethics shared by most medical professionals which says, ‘The patient controls, or owns, the records.’
Employment law is very similar: If your present or former employer gives someone a reference of ANY kind (good, bad or indifferent) they are leaving themselves open to all kinds of lawsuits and EEO complaints. About the only thing they can safely do is give your official title and dates of employment.