Senate committee unanimously recommends Dorothea Verbrugge for Utah Health Data Committee

The Senate Health and Human Services Confirmation Committee on Sept. 25 voted unanimously to give a favorable recommendation to Dorothea "Dot" Verbrugge for appointment to the Utah Health Data Committee.

Dorothea Verbrugge, a board-certified family physician and physician leader with about 20 years of experience working with health claims and electronic medical record data, told the committee she most recently worked for Aetna and stepped away from that role about a month ago. She said she accepted an invitation from the Utah Medical Association to be considered for the committee seat.

The committee focused its questions on privacy and data use. Dr. Harper, chair of the committee, asked, "How do you propose balancing the need for data transparency with the need to protect individual privacy?" Verbrugge replied that certain principles are nonnegotiable and should guide the committee's work: "Number 1, HIPAA. That's parts non negotiable. Number 2, the disclosing or using the minimum amount necessary, of course, is always a good guideline. I think ... transparency in what you're trying to do." She added concerns about consumer device subscriptions and fine-print consent, saying that when people sign up for device subscriptions "the data, your personal health data becomes their data and they can do with it what they want."

Senator Stratton asked for additional guidance on protecting personal and confidential information while the state adopts new technologies, including artificial intelligence and tools for rural health. Verbrugge reiterated the priority for HIPAA compliance, limited disclosure and clearer consent pathways, and urged greater transparency about how data from consumer devices are used.

Senator Stratton moved to present a favorable recommendation to the full Senate, and the committee approved the motion unanimously. Dr. Harper said Verbrugge's name "will be presented in our next time we're on the Senate floor." The committee also approved the meeting minutes from Sept. 25 earlier in the session and then adjourned.

The Health Data Committee advises on use and sharing of health-related data in Utah. Verbrugge's stated combination of clinical practice and health-plan data experience was the primary basis cited by committee members for the recommendation; the committee did not impose conditions or amendments to the nomination during the session.