Have the privacy protections of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) gone too far?

Yes, even a simple question about how a co-worker is doing in the hospital is considered a violation.
Elaine Tombari, WI Federation of Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

HIPPA has done very little to protect privacy. It has led to burdensome disclosure forms, that almost no one reads, and lots of additional paperwork. In the age of electronic files the security of records should be much more of a focus.
Ken Kish, Wayne State University AAUP/AFT Faculty, MI

Yes, I work as a school nurse, trying to get children's immunization records to check to see if they are in state compliance is very difficult. Immunizations should be readily available to a professional attempting to keep a child healthy in a community setting and helping parents understand their child's immunization history.
Mary Kiplinger, RN, Toledo Federation of Teachers, MI 

No. I've read several privacy statements by my various healthcare providers, and think they don't go far enough. I was appalled to find out about the ways they can give out what I thought was my private information. I do, however, like the way some of my providers handle the issue—they ask me for the names in writing of those with whom they can share information.
Maurine Magliocco, University Professionals of Illinois, IL