OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Industry News On April 12, 2001, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced that the effective date of the final privacy rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) will not be delayed. HIPAA's privacy rule became effective on April 14, 2001 as planned. Covered entities have until April 2003 to implement the privacy rule provisions. "President Bush wants strong patient privacy protections put in place now. Therefore, we will immediately begin the . . .