Posted on 01/21/2004 3:31:55 AM PST by kattracks
The Associated Press 1/21/2004, 5:12 a.m. ETWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Three medical organizations have asked a court for permission to support Rush Limbaugh's attempts to keep his medical records sealed.
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, the Florida Pain Initiative and the National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain want to file a friend-of-the-court brief in the conservative radio show host's drug case, arguing doctor-patient privilege is at stake.
The groups would join the American Civil Liberties Union in supporting Limbaugh's legal fight to keep his records private.
"If medical records suddenly become tools of law enforcement, people will be reluctant to seek medical help, reluctant to level with their doctors," said Mary Baluss, a Washington lawyer with The Pain Law Institute who helped write Tuesday's petition to the 4th District Court of Appeal.
Prosecutors say investigators have followed state laws since beginning their investigation last year, after Limbaugh's former maid told them she was Limbaugh's longtime drug supplier.
The appeals court on Jan. 13 ordered the records sealed until the appeal is further reviewed.
Prosecutors seized the records in November. They obtained search warrants after learning Limbaugh received more than 2,000 painkillers, prescribed by four doctors in six months.
Limbaugh's attorneys argue that the seizure violated Limbaugh's privacy and that the investigation was politically motivated.
I'm sure that the DA or his family has a clean slate and that any dirt in a physicians office of hospital record is protected with the same care that has been given to Mr. Limbaugh. The funny thing is with SS number or DMV number, a "medical release of information" form and a fax number you can get anybody's med record.
But conservatives are too nice to do something like that. I mean why would a Right Wing Nut job conservative fascist Republican operative start a web site and post med records of some of the judges, DA's and lawyers...... that would be mean. I know I would find that offensive and should be prevented.
You've gotta love this common information manipulation/suppression tactic used here by the AP dweeb.
"Why, the prosecutors were just following State Law - what's everybody complaining about?"
Of course, there's no mention that the State Law that they were "following" sprang into existence only several months before their investigation "began". ;-)
I'm beginning to become skeptical about the ever-multiplying and mutating body of federal, state and local "law". Near as I can tell, we're just about at the point where you could watch Granny for a couple of weeks and gig her for a civil infraction, misdemeanor, felony or two.
ROTF, LOL. (wiping tears of mirth from my eyes...) Geez, RS - I'd like to thank you for challenging me on this "doctor-shopping" thing, because I've kinda been looking for the thing that you caused me to find.
This "DOCTOR SHOPPING FELONY" (dunh, dunh, DAH!) is actually a 3rd degree Level 3 "felony". It apparently leapfrogged in importance over its more dastardly cousins, molesting blue crab traps (3rd degree, Level 1) or trespassing on posted commerical horticulture property (3rd degree, Level 2).
Once the Democrat prosecutor was able to pore over the arm-long chart of felonies, he was finally able to find SOMETHING he could "get" that one-man crime wave Limbaugh on, and dress it up as a "serious infraction". **snicker**
THANK GOD the Floriduh Legislature finally acted! ;-)
After all, you can't take a mere "misdemeanor" to the Prom, can you? ;-)
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