Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 08:04:22 -0700
From: apfanning@yahoo.com ("Alan Fanning")
Subject: [lpaz-discuss] Fw: PRIVACY ALERT: Last chance to block raid on your medical records
To: lpaz-discuss@yahoogroups.com
Reply-To: lpaz-discuss@yahoogroups.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Privacy News Update" <owner-privacy-news@defendyourprivacy.com>
To: <privacy-news@defendyourprivacy.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 11:21 PM
Subject: PRIVACY ALERT: Last chance to block raid on your medical records
> ===================
> PRIVACY NEWS UPDATE
> Last chance to block the government's raid on
> your medical records -- including your DNA!
> ===================
>
> You are receiving this update because you registered at
> http://www.DefendYourPrivacy.com, the site that was instrumental
> in killing the FDIC's Know Your Customer regulation in 1999. We
> are writing to notify you that this is your *LAST CHANCE* to
> stop the new HHS "medical privacy rule," which would allow the
> government to seize control over your private medical records
> and transfer them to other parties. However, if you do not want
> to receive further updates, please use the unsubscribe directions
> at the end of this message.
>
> ==================================================
> Only three days left to kill
> Federal anti-privacy regulation
>
> Dear Privacy Advocate:
>
> We have an urgent request: Please pick up the
> phone and call Congress today, or the fight for medical
> privacy could be lost. That is because the Health and
> Human Services regulation that turns your medical data
> over to the government will go into effect permanently --
> unless Congress passes HJR 38 by Friday, June 15.
>
> Please read this short memo, immediately take the
> action at the bottom, then forward it to others who might
> be interested.
>
>
> BACKGROUND:
>
> On April 14, President Bush quietly directed
> Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson to
> impose the so-called "medical privacy regulations" that
> were originally developed by the Clinton administration.
> Bush's maneuver came despite the fact that the HHS had
> been inundated with nearly 100,000 angry letters and
> e-mails from Americans around the country.
>
> The most dangerous aspect of this regulation --
> and the one most overlooked in news reports -- is that
> for the first time the government, rather than patient
> and doctors, would be in complete control of your
> private medical records. That's because the regulation
> forces doctors and hospitals to share all electronic
> medical records with the government for a variety of
> vague purposes, such as to "streamline medical billing
> procedures" or for "public health surveillance." Then the
> government, rather than individual patients, will decide
> who gets to see them.
>
> No wonder Americans are so worried. This
> regulation, which was published in the Federal Register
> on December 28, 2000, would:
>
> * Give dozens of government agencies and thousands
> of bureaucrats access to your medical records --
> including the private notes of a psychotherapist
> -- without your consent.
>
> * Let government agencies share your records with
> marketing companies. The rules specifically allow
> pharmacies to share prescription records "for the
> purpose of marketing health-related products and
> services" without your consent.
>
> * Do nothing to prevent the government from
> accessing your DNA information and transferring
> it to "third parties."
>
> * Permit police agencies to access medical records
> without a search warrant.
>
> * Allow private insurance companies to compile the
> medical information into a database.
>
> * Prevent patients involved in health research
> projects from accessing their own medical records
> in some cases.
>
> How would you like a prospective employer to know
> if you have a "genetic predisposition" to contract a serious
> -- and expensive -- illness?
>
> What if an acquaintance who worked for an insurance
> company or government agency could read the private notes of
> your psychotherapist, or find out if you have ever undergone
> drug or alcohol treatment?
>
> Would you want others to know whether you've had an
> abortion or been treated for an embarrassing disease?
>
> All of those things could happen if this
> Clinton-Bush regulation is allowed to stand.
>
> That's why it's so important to pick up the phone
> and call your U.S. representative today. If we can't get
> Congress to vote on HJR 38 by Friday, you can kiss your
> medical privacy goodbye!
>
>
> WHAT TO DO:
>
> Call your U.S. House representative immediately at
> 202-225-3121 or 202-224-3121 to request an immediate vote on
> House Joint Resolution 38 (HJR 38). This measure, sponsored
> by U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, declares that the HHS
> regulation "shall have no force or effect."
>
>
> WHAT TO SAY:
>
> (1) Identify yourself and let them know you are a
> voter in their district. Leave your name, address, complete
> with ZIP code, and phone number. Please be brief, especially
> if you are leaving a message.
>
> (2) Ask them to tell House Speaker Dennis Hastert to
> schedule an immediate vote on HJR 38. Let them know that this
> measure must pass Congress by Friday -- or the HHS rules will
> remain in effect.
>
> (3) Ask them to vote *YES* on HJR 38. Then ask for a
> letter confirming their position.
>
>
> Is there anything else you can do? Yes! Please
> forward this E-mail to a friend, and ask them to call their
> representative as well.
>
> Thank you for your help!
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Steve Dasbach
> National Director
> Libertarian Party
>
>
> ===============================================================
>
> TO UNSUBSCRIBE:
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> Or, if the above method doesn't work with your software, please
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> message type only the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes)
>
> IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION that requires an answer, YOU MUST
> mailto:info@defendyourprivacy.com
> Replies to the List Manager or to the list itself will be
> deleted by our mailing list management software.
>
> ===============================================================
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