Klarinet Archive - Posting 000550.txt from 2004/08

From: "Christy Erickson" <perickso@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Costco caskets
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 10:10:37 -0400


> I do not believe there actually IS such a national database at this =
time
> in
> the US, but many people fear that the development of one will result =
in
> just the scenario you suggest. I think the insurance companies should =
be
> forbidden from accessing the information. It flies in the face of the
> whole principle of shared risk that the system is based on. I'd be =
happy
> to insure only those cars that are kept in the garage all the time and
> never driven!
>=20
>=20
> Bill Hausmann

Bill, I also do not think there is any sort of national database and =
there
better not be. This would fly in the face of every confidentiality and
right to privacy law that currently exists. The confidentiality laws =
were
recently tightened up (at least in Wisconsin they were) and now my =
physician
does not even leave a message on my phone stating who they are anymore. =
My
husband cannot make appointments for me, unless we have a release signed =
for
him to be able to do so or vice versa. Insurers, to my knowledge, still
need to get a release of information from clients if they wish to access
health information and you're right about that practice being contrary =
to
the principles of shared risk. It gets even scarier when you think =
about
the genetics research currently underway. My hubby and I are currently
participating in one of the largest genetics research projects ever
undertaken and although we've been assured that that information will =
remain
confidential, I often wonder who may have access to that database.
Supposedly, our private physicians in that clinic do not have access to =
that
information (which is a bummer since theoretically they might be able to =
use
that info to help prevent or stave off certain diseases or conditions).
However, I suppose that if our physicians had access to the info. then
insurance companies might also so maybe we're better off this way. =
Christy

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