Monday, August 14, 2006

Bill Seeks National Medical Records System - Los Angeles Times Congress is trying to bring the benefits of computerized medical records systems like the VA's to the whole country. By reducing reliance on paper records, lawmakers hope to save billions of dollars. And by tying computerized records systems together in networks, they hope to reduce medical errors by making information instantly available wherever it is needed. But legislation to encourage a move to computerized records, now moving through the final stages of congressional approval, has provoked opposition from privacy advocates, consumer groups and civil libertarians who point to recent security breaches -- including the much-publicized theft of a VA laptop containing personal information on millions of veterans. These groups warn that the legislation wouldn't provide enough safeguards. On one side of the debate is the issue of ensuring adequate protection for a person's most personal information. On the other side is the imperative from government, employers and insurers to curb the seemingly unsustainable growth of healthcare spending, as well as to improve medical treatment. "We are not going to be able to get healthcare costs under control and improve quality without dramatic implementation of health [technology] over the next 10 years," said Robert Laszewski, a health policy consultant. "It's one of those things where choices are going to have to be made. "That doesn't mean give the healthcare industry a blank check -- we've got to have standards -- but I'm afraid we're going to have to take some risks," he said. Privacy advocates say the legislation needs stronger protections, such as provisions that would allow patients to control who sees their records or even to opt out of the electronic system. Agencies should be required to notify patients of a security breach, and patients should have the right to sue over unauthorized disclosures, privacy advocates say. "The main thing we are concerned about is that if this information leaks out to employers, it can destroy people's reputations and livelihoods," said Dr. Deborah Peel, a leading critic and a psychiatrist who heads the Patient Privacy Rights Foundation in Austin, Texas. Under the legislation, patients would not "have the basic right to control who can see and use the most sensitive information on Earth about you," Peel added. Supporters of the legislation -- known as the Health IT bill -- say existing federal medical-privacy laws offer sufficient safeguards. Such laws "already provide absolute protection of our health information," said Rep. Nancy L. Johnson (R-Conn.), a coauthor of the legislation. The Senate unanimously approved a version of the Health IT bill last year. The House version sparked partisan battles over complex technical and legal issues, as well as privacy. But House Republicans won passage over Democratic opposition last month. 10:37:14 AM

Plan for Cameras at New York Clubs Raises Privacy Concerns - New York Times Ms. Quinn's political career has thrived on her support of gays and lesbians, but she surprised and angered some members of that core constituency when she proposed last week that the city's 250 nightclubs be required to install security cameras at their entrances and exits. These critics said the cameras would invade their privacy and pose a particular threat to those who are not open about their sexual orientation. "It smacks of Big Brother," said William K. Dobbs, a longtime gay activist, adding that it would even keep some people away from the clubs. "It will have an impact on everybody who enjoys New York nightlife." While the details of the proposal have yet to be worked out, it would apply to nightclubs that operate with city-issued cabaret licenses that allow dancing. If the nightclub owners refused to comply, their licenses could be suspended or revoked. Ms. Quinn contends that the owners should install the security cameras to protect their patrons and help deter crime in and around the clubs. In recent months, bars and nightclubs have drawn increased scrutiny because of the separate murders of two young women after nights of drinking and partying in Manhattan. A club bouncer has been charged in one of those murders. Ms. Quinn, who also wants to require nightclubs to install identification-checking machines to curb under-age drinking, plans to convene a nightlife conference next month for club owners and city agencies to discuss other ways to improve club safety. The backlash over security cameras illustrates the political pitfalls facing Ms. Quinn, who was elected speaker in January, as she seeks to reshape her public persona from longtime champion of liberal West Side causes -- her district includes Greenwich Village, Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen -- to mainstream political leader. 10:27:27 AM

Amazon 'plans world's biggest personal data stash'. Amazon 'plans world's biggest personal data stash'. And tries to patent it too Amazon.com is investing in IP to create the largest database of personal information ever gathered by an online retailer, according to a report in its local paper. [The Register - Internet and Law: Digital Rights/Digital Wrongs] 10:17:53 AM

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