Press Releases • May 2018 • Medical Records • Minnesota Engagement • MN Health Records Act (MHRA) • Patient Privacy

Minnesota Legislators Voting on Crucial Patient Privacy and Consent Bill Thursday

For Immediate Release
May 9, 2018
 
Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom Urges Residents to Contact Lawmakers Before Vote Tomorrow on Big Business Amendment That Permits Virtually Unfettered Access to Private Medical Records and Genetic Data—Without Patient Consent
 
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is alerting Minnesota residents about a crucial legislative vote Thursday that will impact medical privacy and patient consent rights.
 
CCHF’s efforts had previously helped stop the bill that would have stripped residents of their medical privacy and patient consent rights (HF 3312), but now, a last-ditch attempt to get it passed will be made by amendment on the floor of the House tomorrow. 
 
“This would put residents’ private data in the hands of industry, analysts, researchers and others who want it,” said CCHF president and co-founder Twila Brase.
 
On the House website, the amendment to SF 3019 is listed as coming from Rep. Nick Zerwas (R-Elk River), but it’s possible that someone else could offer it, Brase added. Additionally, she reminded Minnesotans of the following:
 
  • Minnesota has the strongest medical privacy law in the nation.
  • The amendment would overturn the state privacy law.
  • It would make the federal HIPAA rule the standard in Minnesota.
  • HIPAA does NOT protect privacy or consent rights; rather, HIPAA is a permissive rule that allows private medical and genetic data to be shared without consent.
  • Minnesota law requires consent for payment, treatment, “health care operations” (a very broad term), research and more.
  • If the amendment is added to the bill, and the bill passes as expected, consent will no longer be required.
  • Everyone who sees patient medical and genetic data as a source of profit and a source of controlling doctors will get patient data.
  • Patient data can be made available online through the state Health Information Exchange without consent.
  • Ownership rights Minnesotans have todayunder the current statelaw will be gone. 
 
CCHFis urging residents to contact the following lawmakers, along with their state representatives—whether Republican or Democrat—on this important bill:
 
1.    State Representatives (find contact information here)
2.    House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) | 651-296-5364 | rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn
3.    House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) | 651-296-7806 | rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn
4.    Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) | 651-296-4875 | sen.paul.gazelka@senate.mn
5.    Senate President Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville) | 651-296-2084 | sen.michele.fischbach@senate.mn
 
House Republicans are expected to meet tomorrow morning to discuss whether they will vote for or against the medical records amendment to be offered on SF 3019. Democrats will likely do the same. View a CCHF Action Alert on this issue here. 
 
For more information about CCHF, visit www.cchfreedom.org, its Facebook page or its Twitter feed @CCHFreedom. Also view the media page for CCHF here. For more about CCHF’s initiative The Wedge of Health Freedom, visit www.JointheWedge.com, The Wedge Facebook page or follow The Wedge on Twitter @wedgeoffreedom.

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