Get Notice of CCHF Events! CCHF sends email invitations and notices for events and educational forums to those who request them. Such forums and events follow different formats and take place at various time during the year. To receive notice of an upcoming forum or event, send a request to CCHF. Baby DNA and Newborn Screening
Private Newborn Screening Options TAKE ACTION - Find Out How Your Baby's DNA is Being Used 50 States - How Long State Government Keeps Your Baby's DNA 50 States & DC - Newborn Screening Laws CCHF Reports on Newborn Screening Nationwide Protect Your Baby at the Hospital - MN "Newborn Rights" Sign to Post After Birth Parents and Newborns Harmed by Unconsented State Storage of Baby DNAST. PAUL, Minn.—Three important court cases involving Baby DNA are in progress in Michigan, and while one has suffered a setback, litigators and parents are pressing forward to ensure that their children’s genetic blueprint, and the genetic code of other newborn babies, is protected and kept private. Judge Rules Against Parents in Baby DNA CaseST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is responding after a District Court ruled in favor of the defense on a motion to dismiss a case involving Baby DNA in Michigan. Read the Aug. 8 Adam Kanuszewski, et. al. v. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, et. al. decision here. Consumer-Driven Health CareWhy 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. Petition to Trump: Allow Seniors to Opt Out of Medicare w/o Losing Social SecurityST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) and other respected health organizations are urging President Donald Trump to allow senior citizens to voluntarily opt out of Medicare—without losing their Social Security benefits. Evidence-Based MedicineTraining New Doctors for the System
Medical schools are creating a new type of doctor. National Public Radio recently discussed medical training in the 21st century:
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: Between a Rock…and a ReadmissionWe’re in a hard place. Last year, Obamacare initiated a program to reduce so-called “excess readmissions” in hospitals. Section 3025 requires all hospitals subject to the policy to pay a penalty, called a “payment adjustment,” up to 3% if they readmit too many Medicare patients within 30 days of discharge. GeneticsIceland on Way to Eugenics with Eradication of Down Syndrome BirthsST. PAUL, Minn.—The nation of Iceland is working to eradicate Down syndrome births by making sure expectant mothers know about government pre-natal testing that would show if their baby has the genetic disorder. Health Care Spending to Climb Through 2024;ST. PAUL, Minn.—Health care is an always-moving, always-changing entity, with new developments every day—some of which compromise patients’ private medical information, as well as the care their doctors can offer them. 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: Government Health Powers ActCheckboxes, Ebola, and Embedding the EHRShould 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 PowersOn 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, and at least 40 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. Government ProgramsWhy 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. 10 Reasons to ‘Refuse to Enroll’ in ObamacareST. 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.” Prior Authorization Endangers PatientsWhy are health plans permitted to tell doctors how to practice medicine? Have you questioned this dangerous assertion of corporate power over the physician, who has 11 to 15 years of training, or have you just accepted it? Health Care Reform - ObamacareJudge’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). 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. Independent Doctors in Naples, Florida, Being Forced Out of HospitalsST. PAUL, Minn.—Independent doctors in Naples, Florida, and their patients recently got an unwelcome holiday surprise. Health Care WorkforceWill Employers Choose Your Doctors?
It was a startling announcement. Twenty large companies have joined to start the Health Transformation Alliance. With approximately four million workers between them, they “plan to share information about members’ employee health spending and outcomes, with an eye toward using findings to change how they contract for care.”
City of St. Paul to Vote Tomorrow on Getting Access to ‘Entire Medical Record’ of Certain Patients at HealthPartnersST. 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. CCHF’s Twila Brase Speaking at ‘Let My Doctor Practice’ Conference on July 24ST. PAUL, Minn.—Twila Brase, president and co-founder of Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF, www.cchfreedom.org), a national organization dedicated to preserving patient-centered health care and protecting patient and privacy rights, is a dedicated patient freedom advocate, but she’s also committed to physician freedom—especially as outside groups and government initiatives hamper their care for patients. Health Disparities7.1 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 DisparitiesTHE U.S. CENSUS: From Enumeration to IntrusionThe 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. Health Exchanges - Imposing ObamacareWhy 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. Independent Doctors in Naples, Florida, Being Forced Out of HospitalsST. PAUL, Minn.—Independent doctors in Naples, Florida, and their patients recently got an unwelcome holiday surprise. 10 Reasons to ‘Refuse to Enroll’ in ObamacareST. 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.” Health ITGive to the Max 2018!
THANK YOU! | We are so grateful for your support
We did it! We made the $20,000 matching grant for Give to the Max Day- and then EXCEEDED it! Thanks to your generosity, CCHF will be able to keep fighting for freedom and our right to privacy in the health care arena. Again, this is only possible because of our loyal supporters.
We are truly thankful for YOU!
HIPAA; Security Breach! Financial Issues with Dan CeliaListen to CCHF President Twila Brase on Financial Issues with Dan Celia as she discusses the HIPAA patient privacy breaches and how to break the chains that link Social Security benefits to Medicare Part A. Then please sign the petition to restore freedom and choice to the Medicare and Social Security programs. Health Savings AccountsThe BOLD Republican Plan for Health CareI’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 InsuranceIf 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 Answering Your Questions About Health Savings Accounts (CAHI)According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of uninsured Americans increased last year by 5.7% to a total of 43.6 million Americans. The Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) believes that the solution rests in legislation currently pending in Congress. October 1, 2003 Health SharingGive Yourself—and Others—the Gift of Health Care SharingST. 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 SharingST. 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. The 22-Year HIPAA ‘Privacy’ MisnomerST. PAUL, Minn.—For more than two decades, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its federal rule have been touted as a way to keep patients’ personal medical information private. But HIPAA has been under a “privacy” misnomer for 22 years, and in fact, doesn’t protect patient privacy at all. Health SurveillanceHIPAA Is the ‘Biggest Breach of All’ST. PAUL, Minn.—Anthem’s massive 2015 cyberattack is costing the nation’s second-largest health insurer a record $16 million. That’s the equally massive amount the company will pay to settle any potential privacy violations in the biggest known health care hack in U.S. history, the Chicago Sun Times reported last week.
America’s Doctors: ‘This Is Not What We Signed Up For’ST. PAUL, Minn.—The practice of medicine has become frustrating and painful, thanks to Congress forcing government-mandated electronic health records (EHRs) on doctors. Patients—and Their Prescriptions—Are TrackedST. PAUL, Minn.—It’s bad enough that Congress and the Obama administration forced government-mandated electronic health records (EHRs) on physicians and patients around the country. But the government also said EHRs had to be used “meaningfully”—which is to say, the way federal officials declare they must be used. HIPAA Hurt Me
Will Trump Administration Restore Consent to HIPAA?HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH Volume 21: Issue 3: 3rd Quarter 2018 22 HIPAA HarmsST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is planning a social media event today—the 22nd anniversary of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)—and alerting Americans how HIPAA, in fact, doesn’t protect patient privacy at all. HIPAA was signed into law 22 years ago on Aug. 21, 1996, and CCHF will educate the public about “22 HIPAA Harms” throughout the day on Facebook and Twitter. Twenty-Two HIPAA HarmsToday is the 22nd anniversary of HIPAA, the law that eliminated patient privacy rights. On August 21, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed into law “The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act” (HIPAA). In 2003, the “HIPAA privacy rule” (permissive data-disclosure rule) went into effect. To show how little privacy you have, we’ve got a list of 22 ways HIPAA harms you. HMOs & Managed CareIndependent Doctors in Naples, Florida, Being Forced Out of HospitalsST. PAUL, Minn.—Independent doctors in Naples, Florida, and their patients recently got an unwelcome holiday surprise. Prior Authorization Endangers PatientsWhy are health plans permitted to tell doctors how to practice medicine? Have you questioned this dangerous assertion of corporate power over the physician, who has 11 to 15 years of training, or have you just accepted it? The 22-Year HIPAA ‘Privacy’ MisnomerST. PAUL, Minn.—For more than two decades, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its federal rule have been touted as a way to keep patients’ personal medical information private. But HIPAA has been under a “privacy” misnomer for 22 years, and in fact, doesn’t protect patient privacy at all. HomevisitingNot Just A Website“The Affordable Care Act is not just a website,” said President Obama two weeks ago. This is truth, not spin. But Obama has not stopped spinning. He denies that he really meant, “if you like your health plan, you can keep your health plan”: Infant SurveillanceUndoubtably every mother would like help with her newborn infant, but how many mothers would be willing to submit her child and family to a comprehensive parenting, child health, and home environment evaluation by a government employee? Human Subjects ResearchRevised Common Rule Strips Parents of Consent Rights Re: Baby DNA Used for ResearchST. PAUL, Minn.—As things stand, in just over two months parents will lose their consent rights for the use of their newborn baby’s DNA for federally funded research, once the revised Common Rule goes into effect on July 19, 2018.
New Parent Lawsuit Exposes Stolen ‘Baby DNA,’ Says Citizens’ Council for Health FreedomST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) is applauding a new lawsuit where a group of parents are suing the state of Michigan for “stolen blood” because the Michigan BioTrust for Health stores Baby DNA for research—without parental consent. Parents Sue Michigan for Stolen Blood (“Baby DNA”)The Michigan BioTrust for Health is storing newborn DNA for 100 years. Philip Ellison, the father of a newborn, is an attorney whose job is to sue the government. He got nine other families together in a federal lawsuit. And he sued the state health department and the biobank. His special web page: stolenblood.com. For more on issue: itsmydna.org Lawsuit DocumentsJudge’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 alCitizens’ 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.
Center for Competitive Politics v. Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General of CaliforniaCitizens’ Council for Health Freedom joins with 57 non-profit organizations to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Center for Competitive Politics v. Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General of California, a case opposing the demand by the Attorney General of California that nonprofits file an un-redacted copy of Schedule B to Internal Revenue Service Form 990, thus forcing the groups to disclose the names and addresses of the organizations Medical Practice GuidelinesIndependent Doctors in Naples, Florida, Being Forced Out of HospitalsST. PAUL, Minn.—Independent doctors in Naples, Florida, and their patients recently got an unwelcome holiday surprise. Patients—and Their Prescriptions—Are TrackedST. PAUL, Minn.—It’s bad enough that Congress and the Obama administration forced government-mandated electronic health records (EHRs) on physicians and patients around the country. But the government also said EHRs had to be used “meaningfully”—which is to say, the way federal officials declare they must be used. Putting “America” Back into Health CareEverything went smoothly at first. Ilan, the nine-year old son of American physician Benjamin Davies, MD, broke his arm on vacation in Italy. The local hospital x-rayed the arm, reduced the fractures of each bone and applied a cast. But the question of surgery could only be determined by driving to a bigger hospital 1.5 hours away. Medical RecordsDon’t Enroll in Obamacare—There Are Better WaysST. PAUL, Minn.—As Americans wait for Texas federal Judge Reed O’Connor to rule on the latest Obamacare case brought by 20 state attorneys general, the American public faces another open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Paradocs Podcast #23: How HIPAA Destroyed Patient Privacy with Twila Brase, RNHow HIPAA Destroyed Patient Privacy with Twila Brase, RN HIPAA (or the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) passed in 1996 and has been touted by legislators, physicians, patients, and health industry leaders as a law that protects patient medical data privacy. It turns out, as with the names of many laws that pass in Congress, the act does the exact opposite as what you might guess. The act allows for over 2.2 million entities in the US to trade, disperse, and sell your personal medical data without your consent.
Patients—and Their Prescriptions—Are TrackedST. PAUL, Minn.—It’s bad enough that Congress and the Obama administration forced government-mandated electronic health records (EHRs) on physicians and patients around the country. But the government also said EHRs had to be used “meaningfully”—which is to say, the way federal officials declare they must be used. MedicarePrior Authorization Endangers PatientsWhy are health plans permitted to tell doctors how to practice medicine? Have you questioned this dangerous assertion of corporate power over the physician, who has 11 to 15 years of training, or have you just accepted it? Petition to Trump: Allow Seniors to Opt Out of Medicare w/o Losing Social SecurityST. PAUL, Minn.—Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) and other respected health organizations are urging President Donald Trump to allow senior citizens to voluntarily opt out of Medicare—without losing their Social Security benefits. Minnesota EngagementSeven More Days! What YOU can DO to Protect Health FreedomEvery day the MN legislature is in session your money and liberty are at risk. There are only seven days left, but do not breathe easy. The end-of-session pressure adds to the risk. Minnesota Legislators Voting on Crucial Patient Privacy and Consent Bill ThursdayST. 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. URGENT PRIVACY ALERT Call MN Representatives ASAPMN Legislature to Vote TOMORROW on Big Business Amendment that Permits Virtually Unfettered Access to Your Private Medical Records / Genetic Data WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT MN Health Insurance Exchange RealitiesURGENT PRIVACY ALERT Call MN Representatives ASAPMN 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 ExchangeRep. 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. MN Health Records Act (MHRA) - 2018 Legislative Session
CITIZEN PETITION - Protect Patient Consent RightsI hereby petition the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Walz to protect my patient privacy & consent rights. CLICK HERE to sign the Petition
Seven More Days! What YOU can DO to Protect Health FreedomEvery day the MN legislature is in session your money and liberty are at risk. There are only seven days left, but do not breathe easy. The end-of-session pressure adds to the risk. Minnesota Legislators Voting on Crucial Patient Privacy and Consent Bill ThursdayST. 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. National Health Information Network (NHIN)Creating National Biometric System for Patient Matching Will Threaten Privacy and SecurityST. 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). TEN “HIPAA” HARMSWhy Minnesota Legislature Should NOT Adopt Federal HIPAA “No-Consent” Rule for Patient Medical Information
MN Action Alert: Protect and Control Your Health Information!ACTION ALERT
STOP ATTACK ON STRONG MINNESOTA MEDICAL PRIVACY LAW DEADLINE: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at 5:00 pm National Health SystemsPerspective of Former Canadian PhysicianIt is basic economics that since a single payer system of health care has zero attached costs at the point of service, the system is overrun with demand for care. Since no government on earth can finance infinite demand for anything, the inevitable occurs and the government must ration care. In Canada, rationing is done in a covert manner by limiting medical resources. Government health monitoring is causing physicians to leave the medical practiceOnce upon a time, nothing in the exam room was more important than the patient. Using years of training and experience, your doctor would listen carefully as you shared the reasons why you were there. But today, the exam room has a distracting intruder. Your doctor’s eyes and attention are too often focused on a computer screen — the government-mandated electronic health record (EHR). Will Trump Administration Restore Consent to HIPAA?HEALTH FREEDOM WATCH Volume 21: Issue 3: 3rd Quarter 2018 Patient CareJudge’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). 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. Independent Doctors in Naples, Florida, Being Forced Out of HospitalsST. PAUL, Minn.—Independent doctors in Naples, Florida, and their patients recently got an unwelcome holiday surprise. Patient Privacy
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