Centralization of Private Information: a Political Love Story
Senate Democrats are overjoyed with themselves. Their health care “transparency” bill, HB 1330, is currently on its way to the Senate floor for a final vote. If passed, the bill will create a centralized database of medical information. Whose medical information you ask? OUR medical information. The people of Colorado who visit a doctor, dentist, or pharmacy – that’s who.
This massive invasion of medical privacy is meant to “help” us by “making the system more transparent and cost effective.” Okay, so then we get a choice in what information gets collected and centralized right? Wrong.
The bill does not allow entities to opt out of the database. There is no restriction on the information that can be collected. The state can share individual data in any way it deems appropriate. The state can demand detailed data from an individual’s medical or insurer records (the bill calls them provider and payer records). Those data may include information on physical functioning, medical treatment, mental stability, addictions, adherence to government health recommendations, family structure, sexual habits, and financial arrangements. Unlimited fines may be levied on those who refuse to comply.
Health Care Policy Center director Linda Gorman deconstructed the bill and uncovered five major issues that should concern any Colorado resident who cares about their health and privacy.
The bill tasks the Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) with managing the database of information. They happen to be one of the many “public-private” entities that politicians love so dearly. Public in the sense of state-created and controlled. Private in the sense of little to no accountability. What’s not to love right?
And let’s be real, how much do you trust your most private medical information in the hands these people?
lol amazing info dude.
30 Apr 2010 at 3:57 am