Patient Privacy

Federally-Issued ID Numbers Violate Patient Privacy

St. Paul, Minn.— As proponents of a national health care system push their agenda, issues about the privacy of patient data are at the forefront of the debate.

Record Locator Service (RLS) Diagram

The Record Locator Service is part of a Health Information Exchange. When a patient's medical records are requested, the RLS moves out onto the network to find all medical records of that individual. Some states have patient consent requirements. Other states have none.

Human Subjects Research - Major Revision Planned

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to make sweeping changes to federal regulations on human subjects research. In this response to the administration's request for public comments on their Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CCHF says data and DNA ownership as well as patient consent for access to and use of medical records and biospecimens collected from patients in clinics, hospitals and elsewhere is necessary.

CCHF Opposes Proposed "Risk Scores" on Individuals

Citizens' Council for Health Freedom opposes this proposed federal rule, particularly the sweeping data collection plan, the mandate to create “risk scores” on individuals, the redistribution of funds that will likely lead to rationing of care, the fuzzy math that is “risk adjustment”, the “risk corridors” that will facilitate fuzzy math and fund transfers, and the power of the federal government to mandate reinsurance contributions by States.

New Medical Technologies May Mean Gaps in Patient Privacy

St. Paul, Minn.—New technologies flood the health care world daily, but according to a new report, patient privacy may ultimately suffer.

Social Security Numbers

"Private industry (other than your employer) and some organizations use Social Security numbers to keep records. If someone asks for your number, you can refuse to give it to them. However, your purchase or service may be denied. Federal law does not require or prohibit this use of the number. Giving your Social Security number is a personal matter between you and the person who asks for it. But, you should know that no one can get information from your Social Security record just because he or she knows your number."

DATA COLLECTION: SEVEN POINTS OF CONCERN

Patient rights, privacy rights and constitutional rights are violated if patient consent is not required for government access to private data of law-abiding citizens. Such violation of rights will jeopardize patient health and trust in the health care system. A California Healthcare Foundation study found 15% of the public taking evasive action to protect their privacy, including falsifying medical questionnaires, requesting that data be omitted from their medical records, paying cash, and avoiding health care altogether. A 2000 Gallup Survey found 92% of the public opposing government access to private data, and 71% opposing access to medical data by local and state public health agencies.

Patient Medical Records Already Collected by the Minnesota Department of Health

Privacy & Health Care Reform - 10 Things Patients & Doctors Need to Know

Informational brochure on the impact of Obamacare on patient privacy.

Nine-Family Appelants Reply to the MN Supreme Court re: MN Department of Health Brief