3/19/09 -
Packed press conference to protect medical record privacy & patient
control!
On July 1, 2009, Minnesota medical records will become state government
property. Detailed data from each patient's confidential medical
appointments ("encounter data") will be sent to an electronic data
warehouse in the State of Maine where they will be available to state
government officials.
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano) and Senator David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) have
bills to stop this data grab. Rep. Emmer started his March 19 press
conference on HF 1715 surrounded by 30+ citizens who responded to
CCHC's call.
Another 20 or so citizen supporters remained
in the
audience with the news media. There were three TV news cameras, one
videographer, and four news reporters, including Minnesota
Public Radio (MPR).
Below: Rep. Emmer at the podium just before the press
conference began,
Rep. Holberg in white, Reps. Tim Sanders (hidden by Holberg( and Steve
Gottwalt in the back, and citizens young and old standing in support.
Senator
David Hann
(R-Eden Prairie), author of SF 1718, and Rep.
Mary Liz
Holberg (R-Lakeville), co-author of HF 1715 also spoke. Other
legislators
there include Republican co-authors Reps. Peggy Scott, Tim Sanders, and
Steve Gottwalt,
(from Andover, Blaine and St. Cloud
respectively)
Twila Brase, president of CCHC, spoke as well along with two citizen
CCHC supporters (Maggy Kottman and Don Koehler).
HF
1715 and its companion,
SF
1718, would
repeal the
2008 health department "encounter data" language that allows health
officials, without patient consent, to take, own and use private
medical records from every patient's encounter with a physician or
clinic or hospital.
Patient "encounter data" is
scheduled to be regularly sent to a data warehouse in the
State of Maine starting July 1, 2009, at a cost of $1.2 million. At an
additional cost of over $3 million, the
department will access and use patient data to rank doctors according
to
government criteria ("report cards")...and then to make it financially
more difficult for you to see the doctor of your choice and to receive
the individualized care that you need.
Contact
Info
While the legislature is in session and before the data transfer and
analysis begins in July 2009, please take the opportunity to contact
the Governor and your legislators:
Governor Tim Pawlenty:
tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us;
651-296-3391;
1-800-657-3717
State Representative:
rep.firstname.lastname@house.mn
State Senator:
sen.firstname.lastname@senate.mn
House Information: 651-296-2146
Senate Information: 651-296-0504
