Unbeknownst to many, privacy rights in relation to personal health information are being increasingly threatened.

Minnesotans are fortunate to have the the Citizen's Council on Health Care, run by the very well-informed Twila Brase, alerting us to the many threats on both health care and our privacy rights related to health care. (click here for CCHC link)

There is an assault on privacy at all levels of government as public health officials begin to collect and store data on newborns- often via newborn screening to identify metabolic and genetic disorders and others subject to their reach. Congress has recently passed a bill to allow a national "DNA warehouse" to store genetic information on individuals. (click here for link to bill S. 1858) If George Bush signs this bill, Americans will have lost at least some of their right to genetic privacy. I wonder if those in support of this bill actually read it...

And then we have individuals around the country looking for ways to store their medical information so it is more accessible to them. This has become increasingly important as people often need to frequently change providers and then face barriers in transferring records in a timely and coordinated fashion.

In response to consumer demand, Google and Microsoft have begun to enter into the business of health record storage.

Now, the NY Times has published an article outlining potential privacy issues for people who use these services. (click here for article)

So, while Congress passes bills that sound nice, but actually undermine our rights, it ignores some very real problems that need addressing. Health care information often contains the most personal details of our lives. People with access to this information must know that they will be held accountable for any efforts to undermine or violate any person's privacy rights. Companies whose policies don't protect privacy should know they will be held accountable.

I am no fan of government paternalism, but do recognize that there should be safeguards protecting the rights of individuals.

Government exists to protect our rights, not usurp them...