Patient Privacy

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

MN Dept of Health Brief to the Minnesota Supreme Court

Nine-Family Supreme Court Appellant's Principal Brief

MN Supreme Court Ruling - Bearder, et al. vs. State of Minnesota

Governor Pawlenty Should Veto Health & Human Services Bill

We're asking Governor Pawlenty to say NO to higher costs, capitation experiments that risk rationing care to patients, a new government patient surveillance system, and the implementation of ObamaCare in Minnesota," said Twila Brase, president of CCHC

THE U.S. CENSUS: From Enumeration to Intrusion

The U.S. Census has become an intrusive data collection tool for the federal government. The change from constitutional enumeration to federal intrusion has turned led to higher costs, public resistance, and lower compliance. The Census Bureau's plans to count everyone, not just citizens, may also deny American citizens their constitutional right to equal representation," says Twila Brase, president of CCHC.