ATLANTIC CITY - Federal health law experts said health privacy laws are confusing, but should not keep city officials from revealing where the resort's mayor is.
Mayor Bob Levy's last official duty came last Wednesday, when he signed seven ordinances into law. Since then he, and his black city-issued Dodge Durango, have apparently vanished.
His attorney and city officials have said since Thursday he was in an undisclosed hospital receiving unspecified treatment. In the meantime, Business Administrator Domenic Cappella has served as acting mayor.
With Levy's absence, the city has been beset by rumors of imminent resignations tied to an ongoing federal investigation into his military record. City Council members have said they believe Levy has abandoned his post and have sought state help replacing him.
Adding to the problem is that top city officials say they know where he is, but providing more information would run afoul of the 1996 federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly called HIPAA.
Under Federal investigations? Hide, say you are sick, and claim HIPAA rules prevent anyone from finding out where you are! This one has Golden Hippo written all over it!
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