the hippa (sp) law is this:
when you go to the doctor all your info is privacy protected unless you're a minor child. that means that without written permission a husband cannot be told about a wife, a mother cannot be told about an over-18-yr-old child, etc.
in the case of a minor child or a parent for which you are the care-giver, you may be told their medical and/or mental condition so that you may make decisions for them.
i believe this is true in all states now. not sure.