Five hospitals, including UCLA, have received notices of fines totaling $675,000 for privacy violations, the San Jose Mercury News reported.  The violations are described as "for failing to prevent unauthorized access to confidential patient medical files."

The hospitals: Community Hospital of San Bernardino, Enloe Medical Center in Chico, Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, and San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield, have 10 days to appeal or file a correction plan.

Under the HITECH Act provisions passed in 2009 as part of the stimulus package, federal fines and penalties for privacy violations were boosted and states were given authority to pursue fines as well.