I work under HIPAA and I understand it as well as anyone does.
What, specifically, is he accused of doing that is a violation of the law?
“leaking”...........................
From the article, he is accused of leaking the kids names. He denies this, and the reporter leaked to backs him up.
The DOJ also asserts he exposed the doctors to harm by revealing their names.
My opinion, after reading a lot about this from Twitter, is the DOJ wants to make an example of him to stifle any other whistleblowers. It doesn’t matter if the DOJ ultimately loses the case: the process will have ruined this recent graduate’s medical career.
For as long as this drags on, no hospital will be enthusiastic about admitting him to their residency programs, and the accusations of HIPAA violations will give them an excuse to pass on him.