CCHF Sends Letters to all 130 MN Hospitals to Reject Health Surveillance

ST. PAUL, Minn. —Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) sent letters addressed to the leadership of all 130 hospitals in the state of Minnesota. The letter reminds each CEO or administrator of their legal obligation to disregard the April 3^rd Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Notification Letter, which unlawfully demands that hospitals transfer detailed Admission, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) data on all hospitalized patients to the government – with or without a COVID-19 diagnosis.

California Abuses Patient Trust By Evaluating Children for “Toxic Stress”

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is warning parents about California’s newest push to screen children for “toxic stress.” Starting this year, well-child visits for millions of California children could include questions about highly sensitive and delicate topics, such as divorce, family income, and unstable household environments.

HHS Proposal Weakening Substance Abuse Priv. Rule — Wrong Direction for Patients

ST. PAUL, Minn.—An effort is under way to weaken the federal regulation that for nearly 40 years has kept information about drug and alcohol treatment private. This should be a concern to all Americans, says Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF), which exists to protect health care choices, individualized patient care, and medical and genetic privacy rights. 

Doctors Hampered from Saving Patients by Imposed Standard of Care Protocols

ST. PAUL, Minn. —Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) resonates with the complaints of physicians frustrated in their care of COVID-19 patients by ‘evidence-based medicine’ and various bureaucratic restraints imposed by outside third-parties.

Training New Doctors for the System

President’s “Precision Medicine” Ploy?

The President wants your genetic code. Mr. Obama has announced a new “Precision Medicine Initiative” (PMI) that includes databasing medical records, genetic blueprints and lifestyles of a million or more Americans. Here are seven disturbing aspects of his initiative:

Individual Rights in Declared Emergencies

As exemplified during the COVID-19 outbreak, state governments have significant control over private citizens during a declared emergency. This language, currently in Minnesota Statute 12.39, specifically prohibits forced treatment, vaccinations, specimen collection and more while requiring individuals to be notified of that right to refuse. 

Universal Patient Data Consent Form

This language establishes a mandatory patient consent form for health information sharing. It allows a patient to share as much or as little information as they desire using “Yes” and “No” options for each requested data-share. Definitions attached to the form educate patients on how the information could be used allowing for more informed decision-making.

PMP Audits, Appropriate Access and Patient Access

State Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs) collect a significant amount of data on patients. In 2019, Minnesota lawmakers passed a bill to require quarterly audits of the database to ensure program integrity and appropriate access. The law also requires designee’s access to be terminated when employment ends. It also permits individuals to view who accessed their data.

Contact Congress About 3 Critical Health Care Issues While They Are Home for Recess

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Even though Congress could be called back from the August recess to address gun measures after the devastating shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is urging state residents to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives about three important health care issues.

5 Years Since MN Resumed Storing Baby DNA After Lawsuit Forced Them to Stop

ST. PAUL, Minn.—More than 15 years ago, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF, www.cchfreedom.org) discovered that the Minnesota Department of Health was storing and using Baby DNA—the genetic blueprints of its youngest citizens obtained through newborn screenings—without parental consent. 

Essentia Medical Consent Form Web Page

Checkboxes, Ebola, and Embedding the EHR

Should the EHR be blamed? After a Texas hospital let Liberian Thomas Duncan go home (with Ebola), hospital officials blamed the electronic health record (EHR). A day later, they retracted their statement -- without explanation.

State Emergency Health Powers

On October 23, 2001, less than two months after the 9/11 terrorist attack, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the proposed Model State Emergency Health Powers Act (MEHPA). The proposal was finalized in December 2001. It authorized state health officials and their designees to take control of people, property, health care, communications and more in a public health emergency. State legislatures debated it in 2002. Nearly 40 introduced it and 20 states passed some version of it. Most of the public is not aware of these police powers..  For more information go to www.governmenthealthpowers.us

Are You Ready for Ebola?

Ebola has officially arrived in the United States. An infected man traveling from Liberia was diagnosed in Texas. A person close to him may also be infected. Officials assure the American public that Ebola is not easily spread; that it requires close contact with bodily fluids. They say the disease is contained to the man’s family and close friends. They are monitoring 12-18 people so far, including five children.

Minnesota’s COVID-19 Graph Distorts the Truth

Minnesotans need accurate data. Data on COVID-19 infections and deaths--and the modeling of that data--is key to decision-making during this public health emergency.

COVID-19 and the Impact of ACA Consolidation

ST. PAUL, Minn. — With coronavirus spreading nationwide, the Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) wants to remind Americans how ten years of the Affordable Care Act have created barriers and regulations that reduce patient access to care, not only during a nationwide public health crisis but every day of the year.

Congress Shouldn't Take Advantage of COVID-19 to Impose Price Controls on Doctors

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) opposes any last-minute attempt by the U.S. Senate HELP committee, as reported by Modern Healthcare, to use COVID-19 legislation to impose price controls on physicians as a way of solving surprise medical bills.

Exchange Prohibited

State legislators, individuals are organizations can use this proposed legislation as a template for writing their own legislation to prohibit the implementation of a state-run, federally-run, or federally-facilitated health insurance exchange, as defined in sections 1311 and 1321 of Obamacare, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Laws 111-148 and 111-152). NOTE: The federal law does not require states to implement an exchange, and cannot force state legislatures to build a state-run exchange (unconstitutional commandeering), join in a federally-facilitated exchange (federally-run exchange with facade of state control), or share state data on individuals to allow the operation of a Federal Exchange run by HHS. 

CCHF Applauds Texas v. Azar for Ruling on Obamacare Individual Mandate

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) supports the ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal that the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate is unconstitutional. The court quoted from the joint AAPS/CCHF amicus brief in the first sentence of the ruling.

When Trusted Physicians Are Cut Out of Patient Care Decisions

ST. PAUL, Minn.—A significant court case this spring highlighted yet another emerging problem in today’s medical care climate—when hospitals limit who can admit patients. And it has come with deadly results in at least one instance, says Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF).

Burdensome Regulations Are Pushing Doctors Out of Medicine

ST. PAUL, Minn.—According to a new study from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the nation may face a shortage of nearly 122,000 physicians by 2032, Healthcare Dive has reported. 

In part, the article blames the shortage on the “graying” of America, as both medical professionals and patients age, stating that “one-third of active doctors will be older than 65 within the next decade.” 

Will Employers Choose Your Doctors?

City of St. Paul to Vote Tomorrow on Getting Access
to ‘Entire Medical Record’ of Certain Patients at HealthPartners

ST. PAUL, Minn.—One privacy-focused health policy organization says a proposed data agreement between the City of St. Paul and HealthPartners may violate patients’ rights to give or deny access to their medical records and will put patients’ private medical data at risk.

7.1 Million: Not the Number to Watch

The White House is gloating. President Obama’s cast and crew are celebrating their 7.1 million sign-ups. They claim success. Not so fast. This was just an April Fool's joke on the American people.
 

Healthy People 2010 Document Focuses on Eliminating Health Disparities

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.

Exchange Prohibited

State legislators, individuals are organizations can use this proposed legislation as a template for writing their own legislation to prohibit the implementation of a state-run, federally-run, or federally-facilitated health insurance exchange, as defined in sections 1311 and 1321 of Obamacare, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Laws 111-148 and 111-152). NOTE: The federal law does not require states to implement an exchange, and cannot force state legislatures to build a state-run exchange (unconstitutional commandeering), join in a federally-facilitated exchange (federally-run exchange with facade of state control), or share state data on individuals to allow the operation of a Federal Exchange run by HHS. 

Surprise Medical Bills Are Not the Problem— The Network Is

ST. PAUL, Minn.—It’s an all-too-common problem many Americans have faced. 

Patients visit a hospital or provider for a service or treatment they thought was “covered” by their insurance, only to receive a surprise medical bill weeks later with out-of-pocket costs totaling hundreds or even thousands of dollars. 

Why Are Republicans Silent on Obamacare Ruling?

Republicans have pushed the mute button. On Friday evening, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor in Texas ruled the individual mandate unconstitutional and the ACA "invalid" but many Republicans are quiet as mice.

The BOLD Republican Plan for Health Care

I’m not going to talk about Obama’s SOTU… except to say that I feel like I did the last time he had to get up and try to sell Obamacare to the nation: he doesn’t want to do it; he feels it’s beneath him; it’s four years after Obamacare and he’s perturbed that he still has to be marketing the law in a speech. So his comments lack passion. 

MEDICAL SHARING: An Inexpensive Alternative to Health Insurance

If the U.S. Senate version of health insurance reform passes and premium costs increase as predicted by the Congressional Budget Office, medical sharing may be one of the only ways for Americans to get affordable coverage," says Twila Brase, president of CCHC

The Exciting World of Health Care Sharing!

Save the Date!   Thursday, September 24th, 2020 @ 7:00pm 
JOIN us to hear Twila Brase give an update on our recent successes and learn about the exciting world - and explosive growth - of health care sharing.   Stay tuned for updates!

FREE EVENT  |  LIVE STREAM  | Q&A

Give Yourself—and Others—the Gift of Health Care Sharing

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Especially at this time of year, many Americans are looking for ways to save some money and tighten their budgets.  With health insurance costs one of the major expenses for families, smart spenders and savers are discovering ways to lower their health care costs. 

Shopping for Health Insurance? Consider Health Care Sharing

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Many Americans will be starting their Christmas shopping this month—much of it online. If they are looking for new health insurance options, perusal of the online “marketplace” may occur as well.

Minnesota Dept. of Health Commissioner Responds to Surveillance Question

CCHF Sends Letters to all 130 MN Hospitals to Reject Health Surveillance

ST. PAUL, Minn. —Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) sent letters addressed to the leadership of all 130 hospitals in the state of Minnesota. The letter reminds each CEO or administrator of their legal obligation to disregard the April 3^rd Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Notification Letter, which unlawfully demands that hospitals transfer detailed Admission, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) data on all hospitalized patients to the government – with or without a COVID-19 diagnosis.

The CARES Act Creates Nationwide Health Surveillance System

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) releases the following statement from its president, Twila Brase, RN, PHN: “Congress just approved $500 million for the creation of a nationwide health surveillance system. While it is not clear exactly how this will look, this system is not a last-minute decision based on the current emergency..."

CCHF Implores Government to Restore Pre-HIPAA Rights

ST. PAUL, Minn.—For much of its 20-plus-year existence, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) has worked to educate patients, policy makers, the media, medical professionals and even Congress that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) “Privacy Rule” isn’t about privacy at all. 

‘Big Brother in the Exam Room’ a Finalist for Two Midwest Book Awards

ST. PAUL, Minn.—“Big Brother in the Exam Room: The Dangerous Truth About Electronic Health Records,” written by Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) president and co-founder Twila Brase, RN, PHN, is a finalist for two separate Midwest Book Awards. UPDATE: On May 4, the book WON the "Social Issues/Political Issues/Culture" category!

‘Big Brother in the Exam Room’ Wins Literary Award

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Reader Views announced today that “Big Brother in the Exam Room: The Dangerous Truth About Electronic Health Records,” written by Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) president and co-founder Twila Brase, RN, PHN, has received a first-place honor in the 2018-2019 Literary Awards. 

Socialized Medicine USA 1942 - 2020

INFOGRAPHIC: "The Socialized Medicine Takeover by HMOs and Health Plans"   The push to socialized medicine has a long history in America.  See where it all started in this detailed diagram, and how employer-sponsored coverage and managed care have been foundational to its advance. NOTE: CCHF's Wedge of Health Freedom provides one escape route (jointhewedge.com).

Letter to CMS Opposing Proposed Rule to the Stark Law (Physician Self-Referrals)

The proposed rule “proposes exceptions to the physician self-referral law for certain value-based compensation arrangements between or among physicians, providers, and suppliers.” Our organization does not support value-based payment systems, which are anti-ethical to free-markets, competition, medical ethics, and the critically-important confidential patient-doctor relationships.

RFI - Patient Care Over Paperwork

RFI - Patient Care Over Paperwork, submitted August 12, 2019: At the end of the day, we submit that your focus should be this: Give Doctors a Reason to Stay.

Contact Congress About 3 Critical Health Care Issues While They Are Home for Recess

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Even though Congress could be called back from the August recess to address gun measures after the devastating shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is urging state residents to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives about three important health care issues.

5 Years Since MN Resumed Storing Baby DNA After Lawsuit Forced Them to Stop

ST. PAUL, Minn.—More than 15 years ago, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF, www.cchfreedom.org) discovered that the Minnesota Department of Health was storing and using Baby DNA—the genetic blueprints of its youngest citizens obtained through newborn screenings—without parental consent. 

Revised Common Rule Strips Parents of Consent Rights Re: Baby DNA Used for Research

Texas v. The United States

Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom joins with the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, to ask the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to affirm the invalidation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Judge’s ‘Mandate is Unconstitutional’ Ruling Gives States an Opportunity to Break Free *

ST. PAUL, Minn.—A Texas district judge’s recent ruling that the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional, and thus the entire law is "invalid," gives states an opportunity to break free from federal controls over care and coverage, says Citizens’Council for Health Freedom (CCHF). 

Matt Sissel v Department of Health and Human Services, et al

Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom joins with the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, and individual physicians to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Matt Sissel v. Department of Health and Human Servs, et al, a case opposing the delete and replace actions of the US Senate in the creation of the Affordable Care Act. 

Congressional Attempt to End Surprise Medical Bills Will Socialize Doctors

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Few would deny that surprise medical bills are a problem. Patients experience these shocks to their wallets when they visit a hospital or provider for a service or treatment they thought was “covered” by their insurance. Weeks later, they may receive a surprise medical bill with out-of-pocket costs totaling hundreds or even thousands of dollars. CCHF has sent a letter to President Trump telling him there's a better way than the price controls Congress proposes to impose on physicians.

‘Big Brother in the Exam Room’ a Finalist for Two Midwest Book Awards

ST. PAUL, Minn.—“Big Brother in the Exam Room: The Dangerous Truth About Electronic Health Records,” written by Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) president and co-founder Twila Brase, RN, PHN, is a finalist for two separate Midwest Book Awards. UPDATE: On May 4, the book WON the "Social Issues/Political Issues/Culture" category!

ACT TODAY - "FREEDOM TO OPT OUT OF MEDICARE”

The U.S. CENSUS­: From Enumeration to Intrusion

By April 1, Americans in every household will have received the 2020 U.S. Census form in their mailbox. While enumeration continues to be one portion of the Census, the overall purpose of the Census has shifted as the nation has developed and grown. The U.S. Census and in particular, the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, now collect additional private data on Americans, including information on health status and medical conditions. 

Will Minnesota Lawmakers Let Google Have Patient Medical Records?

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is calling on Minnesota legislators to hold their ground and defend the Minnesota Health Records Act (MHRA) from large data corporations, health industry giants, and government entities that want it repealed. The MHRA is the nation’s strongest medical privacy and patient consent rights law.

Minnesota Restricts Long-term Storage of Patient Prescription Data

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A major change to Minnesota’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) took place on January 1, 2020. The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy will no longer have access to four years of identifiable patient prescription data, which it had been using for research without patient consent. Going forward, the board will have diminishing amounts of data available for analysis and research. By 2022, only the past 12 months of patient prescription data will be stored, on a rolling basis.

Six Reasons You May Want to Opt Out of Medicare

President Trump signed an executive order that provides choice to seniors and opens the door to a lifetime of private coverage. Seniors will no longer be (illegally) required to enroll in Medicare to receive their Social Security Retirement Benefits (SSRB).   Is this the right choice for you?  Here are 6 reasons why you might want to opt-out of medicare.

Freedom for America's Seniors!

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 22: Issue 4: 4th Quarter 2019 

GOP Should Stay Clear of Medicare Advantage Model When Reforming Health Care System

Six Reasons You May Want to Opt Out of Medicare

President Trump signed an executive order that provides choice to seniors and opens the door to a lifetime of private coverage. Seniors will no longer be (illegally) required to enroll in Medicare to receive their Social Security Retirement Benefits (SSRB).   Is this the right choice for you?  Here are 6 reasons why you might want to opt-out of medicare.

Freedom for America's Seniors!

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 22: Issue 4: 4th Quarter 2019 

MN Health Dept. Illegally Demands Data on Every Hospitalized Patient

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is challenging the Minnesota Department of Health’s unprecedented Notification Letter requiring all hospitals in Minnesota to submit Admission, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) data on all hospitalized patients to the government—with or without a COVID-19 diagnosis.

CCHF Letter to MDH Commissioner Malcolm

"We are deeply concerned with your April 2 'Notification Letter' letter to Minnesota hospitals regarding 'Situational Awareness.' Whether by accident or design, your Notification Letter falsely suggests that you have the authority to compel hospitals to provide MDH with all general population patient data, rather than limited, specific and authorized data necessary to support MDH’s COVID-19 surveillance efforts. . . ."

Finding Common Ground Leads to Major Victories

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 22: Issue 2: 2nd Quarter 2019 

URGENT PRIVACY ALERT Call MN Representatives ASAP

MN Legislature to Vote TOMORROW on Big Business Amendment that Permits Virtually Unfettered Access to Your Private Medical Records / Genetic Data WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT

Health Insurers “Closed for Business”

Health insurers are shutting down for seven months. It’s virtually lights out. Unless you have a qualifying “life event,” you must wait until open enrollment begins Obamacare on November 15. A product once available year around for Americans to purchase no longer is. The entire industry now runs on the Obamacare schedule.

Rep. Darrell Issa Questions Governor Mark Dayton about Troubled State Exchange

Rep. Darrell Issa (R.-Calif.), Chairman of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, has written a five-page letter to 10 governors, including Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, holding states accountable for troubled Obamacare health insurance exchanges, namely Minnesota’s exchange—MNsure. Dayton has been given until tomorrow, April 8, to reply.

Will Minnesota Lawmakers Let Google Have Patient Medical Records?

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is calling on Minnesota legislators to hold their ground and defend the Minnesota Health Records Act (MHRA) from large data corporations, health industry giants, and government entities that want it repealed. The MHRA is the nation’s strongest medical privacy and patient consent rights law.

Defending the Strongest Patient Privacy Law in America

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 22: Issue 1: 1st Quarter 2019 

MN Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Finance and Policy

Watch the video of the MN Senate committee stopping patient consent repeal.  CCHF fought hard to stop SF 1575 (Sen. Eric Pratt, R-Prior Lake) - a bill to remove patient consent requirements in the Minnesota Health Records Act.

CCHF Alerts Patients That Govt. Wants to Share Their Private Medical Records Broadly

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is urging Americans to comment on a 690-page proposed rule from the federal Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) that would require electronic health records (EHRs) to be “interoperable,” easily accessible and sharable EHR to EHR nationwide and prohibit “information blocking.”

Essentia Medical Consent Form

Essentia Medical Consent Form Web Page

COVID-19 is Catalyst for Eliminating Privacy in 21st Century ‘Gold rush’ of Medical Data

ST. PAUL, Minn. —Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is warning Americans about the privacy dangers of contact tracing and letting them know why they might want to refuse to participate.

Wrapping Up a Productive Year in Washington, D.C.

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 23: Issue1: 1st Quarter 2020 

Socialized Medicine USA 1942 - 2020

INFOGRAPHIC: "The Socialized Medicine Takeover by HMOs and Health Plans"   The push to socialized medicine has a long history in America.  See where it all started in this detailed diagram, and how employer-sponsored coverage and managed care have been foundational to its advance. NOTE: CCHF's Wedge of Health Freedom provides one escape route (jointhewedge.com).

A Legislative Session to Remember

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 23: Issue2: 2nd Quarter 2020 

Doctors Hampered from Saving Patients by Imposed Standard of Care Protocols

ST. PAUL, Minn. —Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) resonates with the complaints of physicians frustrated in their care of COVID-19 patients by ‘evidence-based medicine’ and various bureaucratic restraints imposed by outside third-parties.

Minnesotans Petition Governor Walz to STOP State Health Surveillance System

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) sent a letter and more than 1,500 signatures on a petition to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz regarding the Minnesota Department of Health’s unprecedented Notification Letter, which requires all hospitals in Minnesota to submit detailed Admission, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) data on all hospitalized patients to the government—with or without a COVID-19 diagnosis.

HIPAA - the Federal Medical Privacy Rule

The federal medical privacy rule is commonly known as the "HIPAA privacy rule." However, it actually holds the title, "Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information."

COVID-19 is Catalyst for Eliminating Privacy in 21st Century ‘Gold rush’ of Medical Data

ST. PAUL, Minn. —Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is warning Americans about the privacy dangers of contact tracing and letting them know why they might want to refuse to participate.

A Legislative Session to Remember

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 23: Issue2: 2nd Quarter 2020 

New Model State Legislation Library to Protect Patient Rights

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) announces the creation of a patient-centered Model State Legislation Library, starting with model legislation that protects patient rights during a declared emergency. State legislators can use the library to adopt legislative proposals in whole, or adapt the published proposals as necessary to implement state-based protections for individuals and patients.

Will Minnesota Lawmakers Let Google Have Patient Medical Records?

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is calling on Minnesota legislators to hold their ground and defend the Minnesota Health Records Act (MHRA) from large data corporations, health industry giants, and government entities that want it repealed. The MHRA is the nation’s strongest medical privacy and patient consent rights law.

CCHF Praises Continued Ban on Federal Unique Patient ID

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is pleased that the federal unique patient identifier (UPI) will continue to be prohibited. The bipartisan appropriations bill, which passed today, retains the ban that has been in effect for over 20 years. As industry clamored to lift the ban, CCHF built a nationwide coalition of organizations to keep the ban in place. 

CCHF Letter to MDH Commissioner Malcolm

"We are deeply concerned with your April 2 'Notification Letter' letter to Minnesota hospitals regarding 'Situational Awareness.' Whether by accident or design, your Notification Letter falsely suggests that you have the authority to compel hospitals to provide MDH with all general population patient data, rather than limited, specific and authorized data necessary to support MDH’s COVID-19 surveillance efforts. . . ."

Creating National Biometric System for Patient Matching Will Threaten Privacy and Security

ST. PAUL, Minn.—The Pew Research Center last week released a new public opinion report on “patient matching,” a term which is simply a less-offensive moniker for “national patient ID,” says Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF).

CO LEGISLATIVE ALERT!

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is pushing a bill, HB 1164, which would allow it to directly gather data on families that delay or avoid vaccinations. Parents would be required to submit exemption claims directly to the government for state storage, analysis and use.

Finding Common Ground Leads to Major Victories

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 22: Issue 2: 2nd Quarter 2019 

Provider Tax Does NOT Fund MNCare

Watch this well made video from the (Minnesota) New House Republican Caucus:

Minnesotans are being fed a lie by several groups who are lobbying to extend the immoral sick tax, which is set to end this year. It does NOT fund Minnesota care as members of our caucus explain in this video using data from the Minnesota Management & Budget and Dept of Health.

Let It Expire

ST. PAUL, Minn.—For 27 years, medical care providers in Minnesota have been paying a 2% MinnesotaCare tax. It’s set to expire on Dec. 31, 2019, and Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is one of the few organizations calling for its end. 

COVID-19 and the Impact of ACA Consolidation

ST. PAUL, Minn. — With coronavirus spreading nationwide, the Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) wants to remind Americans how ten years of the Affordable Care Act have created barriers and regulations that reduce patient access to care, not only during a nationwide public health crisis but every day of the year.

Congress Shouldn't Take Advantage of COVID-19 to Impose Price Controls on Doctors

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) opposes any last-minute attempt by the U.S. Senate HELP committee, as reported by Modern Healthcare, to use COVID-19 legislation to impose price controls on physicians as a way of solving surprise medical bills.

‘Lower Health Care Costs’ Bill Won’t Help Pocketbook, Will Put Plans in Charge of Doc Pay

ST. PAUL, Minn.—As the U.S. Senate and House return to work in Washington, D.C., this week, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF, www.cchfreedom.org) is alerting lawmakers and the public about the “Lower Health Care Costs” bill and how it will actually hurt rather than help patients.

TSA's Proposed Data Collection Activity With No Public Input

CCHF sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration questioning how the American people can provide informed comments on a data collection proposal, when the proposal is not available to the public.

Letter to President Trump: Postpone the Real ID Deadline Permanently

Postpone REAL ID – Not Just Its Deadline

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) thanks President Trump for announcing that the REAL ID deadline will be postponed, and will soon send a letter to the president with a request.

10 Reasons to ‘Refuse to Enroll’ in Obamacare

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Just a few days remain in the open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and for those still on the fence, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is sharing the top 10 reasons to “Refuse to Enroll.” 

CITIZEN PETITION - Freedom to NOT CHOOSE Medicare

** Update ** October 3, 2019:

CCHF Applauds POTUS Medicare Executive Order Maximizing Freedom for Patients and Providers

Thank you to everyone who has signed this petition and supported choice for seniors!  When citizens get involved, we can make a difference. CCHF will continue to advocte for changes to secure health freedom.

Click here to view more information on the link between Medicare and Social Security benefits, and how to restore Medicare freedom

I hereby petition the United States Congress and the Administration of President Donald J. Trump to restore freedom and choice to the Medicare and Social Security programs by allowing citizens to claim social security benefits without a requirement to enroll in Medicare.  

5 Whirlwind Days in Washington, D.C.

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 20: Issue 4: 4th Quarter 2017

Obamacare Forcing Schools to Make Cuts

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Millions of students around the country are returning to school today after a long holiday break. But some of them might see some changes this year in their school personnel—all thanks to Obamacare rules and regulations.

Children and Schools

Mandated School Billing for Special Education Health Services

The 1998 Minnesota K-12 Omnibus Education bill mandated that all schools bill third-party payers (HMOs, insurers, and Medicaid) for health care services given under Special Education. M.S. 125A now mandates that funds ($50,000) be provided for training school staff in coding and other necessary skills and information for submitting Medicaid and insurance claims.

Contact Congress About 3 Critical Health Care Issues While They Are Home for Recess

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Even though Congress could be called back from the August recess to address gun measures after the devastating shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is urging state residents to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives about three important health care issues.

5 Years Since MN Resumed Storing Baby DNA After Lawsuit Forced Them to Stop

ST. PAUL, Minn.—More than 15 years ago, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF, www.cchfreedom.org) discovered that the Minnesota Department of Health was storing and using Baby DNA—the genetic blueprints of its youngest citizens obtained through newborn screenings—without parental consent. 

CCHF Applauds Court Ruling on Retention of Newborn DNA in MI

ST. PAUL, Minn.— Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF, www.cchfreedom.org), the organization that discovered state storage of newborn DNA in Minnesota in 2003, called on Minnesota’s governor to destroy stored newborn DNA in July 2007 and pulled Minnesota parents together in March, 2009 for the first lawsuit filed in the nation, applauds yesterday’s federal appeals court ruling on retention and use of newborn DNA in Michigan.  

Three Years Later, ‘The Wedge’ Gives Patients & Docs a Pathway to Health Freedom

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Three years ago, as the medical treatment system grew ever-more bureaucratic and less patient-centered, Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF, www.cchfreedom.org) launched an initiative to call physicians and other practitioners back to freedom and give patients a way to find these affordable practitioners.

Burdensome Regulations Are Pushing Doctors Out of Medicine

ST. PAUL, Minn.—According to a new study from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the nation may face a shortage of nearly 122,000 physicians by 2032, Healthcare Dive has reported. 

In part, the article blames the shortage on the “graying” of America, as both medical professionals and patients age, stating that “one-third of active doctors will be older than 65 within the next decade.” 

Big Brother is a Big Seller

HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH

Volume 21: Issue 4: 4th Quarter 2018

Get Vaccinated or You Can’t Fly?

Forced vaccination? The Obama administration has issued an 88-page proposed rule giving federal officials power to detain U.S. citizens traveling within the U.S. for the purpose of examination, testing, vaccination and possible quarantine. Airports, train stations, bus terminals and U.S. ports would be compelled to cooperate in reporting Americans. Detained individuals may be required to pay for all testing, treatment, transportation and vaccination imposed by government. 

Canary in the Healthcare Coal Mine

Don’t miss what’s happening with vaccinations. Remember when health plans promised to maintain an enrollee’s health through prepaid coverage that included the full range of preventive care?

States Build Patient-Tracking Systems

"The NSA is not the only agency specializing in surveillance. State government health officials are profiling children and cataloging citizens in massive government databases without the patient's or parent's consent. That's the gist of our new 50-state report, released last week:"Patient Privacy and Public Trust: How Health Surveillance Systems are Undermining Both."