Newborn DNA Sent to U.S. Military for Law Enforcement Database without Parent Consent

Texas began storing newborn DNA, collected for the newborn screening program, in 2002 without parent consent. A recent lawsuit against the State was settled, forcing Texas officials to destroy the 5.3 million infant blood spots in storage.

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

Texas Department of Health to destroy newborn bloodspots to settle parent lawsuit

The Texas Department of Health should never have stored or analyzed the DNA and unique genetic codes of its newborn citizens. It is only right that they destroy the genetic information that they have stored and given to researchers without legal authority or the consent of parents.

Small Business Endangered by Health Insurance Reform

The health insurance reform bills proposed by Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid pose serious threats to the viability of small businesses across the country," says Twila Brase, president of CCHC, and co-author of the policy brief.

Judge's Ruling Supports Government Violation of Minnesota Genetic Privacy Law

The judge's arguments against the nine families are extremely weak. There is no law on the books in Minnesota to support the health department's current practice of indefinite storage, use and sharing of newborn DNA for research without parent consent. The law that is on the books, the Minnesota genetic privacy law, forbids it.

MN Department of Health begins Surveillance for Guillain-Barr

The Citizens' Council on Health Care (CCHC) today reports that the Minnesota Department of Health has began conducting statewide surveillance for the emergence of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare and often severe neurological disorder that can lead to death.

50-State "Government Health Powers" website unveiled by Citizens' Council on Health Care

With public health officials scheduled to begin distribution of H1N1 vaccine, the Citizens’ Council on Health Care (CCHC) today releases a new informative website resource for the American people.

Twila Brase, President of CITIZENS' COUNCIL ON HEALTH CARE is recognized among "the most powerful national voices on health care policy"

Twila Brase, a Registered Nurse, and Public Health Nurse, has attained this recognition through diligent and incisive critiques and testimony in favor of patient-centered health care, medical privacy rights, and free-market concepts.

Instead of Calling in, CCHC Suggests Citizens Write a Letter Asking Sen. Klobuchar for a Real Town Hall

A telephone call is not a town hall. We must not allow members of Congress to establish a precedent for town halls that keeps the public and their elected leaders out of the same room, especially when lives and livelihoods are at stake," says Twila Brase, president of CCHC.

Citizen Files Class-Action Lawsuit against HHS and Secretary Sebelius to Stop National Health Data System

The civil action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Count on June 24 by Beatrice M. Heghmann brings needed attention to the federal infringements of privacy and personal health care choices enacted through the economic stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009.