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.

President Obama Implies Support for Health Care Rationing...But Avoids Using the Word

President Obama's statements imply strong support for health care rationing even though he never used the word. If the President's preferred health care policies become law, there will be so-called 'experts' and others outside the exam room deciding who gets what medical treatment and who does not, as well as which medical treatments will even be available to patients. (Page 6, response to Jane Sturm)

MN Health Plans Begin Sending Private Medical Records to State's Data Warehouse in Maine

Patients will have no choice. Every time they go to their doctor, or are admitted to the hospital, or get a prescription, their data will be shared with the State of Minnesota. By law, state health officials will be able to access and analyze their medical information, make outside judgments about their care, and potentially penalize their doctors, all without their consent," says Twila Brase, president of Citizens' Council on Health Care.