Posted on 03/20/2004 4:24:44 PM PST by CedarDave
Saturday, March 20, 2004
To Rush ... Regards, Bill
By Kate Nash
Journal Capitol Bureau
SANTA FE— Gov. Bill Richardson and Rush Limbaugh agree on little when it comes to politics. But when it comes to the privacy of medical records, they appear to be reading from the same page.
In fact, Richardson recently wrote a letter to Limbaugh, expressing solidarity with the conservative talk-radio host, who is being investigated on suspicion of illegally buying prescription painkillers.
Prosecutors in the Limbaugh case want to unseal his medical records, a move Limbaugh and his attorney are fighting in Florida.
The Democratic governor called Limbaugh a victim of overly aggressive government prosecutors.
"I am solidly behind you on the issue of federal government or prosecutors having access to your medical records. It is a massive intrusion into your, and every citizen's privacy. Hopefully, you will fend off these attacks," Richardson wrote.
Limbaugh, on his namesake radio show Friday morning, briefly mentioned the letter from Richardson, saying he was glad for the governor's support.
In an interview at the Capitol on Friday, Richardson said he wrote to Limbaugh because he believes the privacy of medical and health records should be sacrosanct.
"I believe very strongly in medical privacy. I don't think that anyone from the government should intrude. I think Rush Limbaugh is a victim of overzealous federal prosecutors trying to violate his privacy," he said.
Richardson, who said he pushed for medical record privacy while he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico, said he's never met Limbaugh and doesn't have time to listen to his show.
But he's familiar with at least one of the shows from last year, during which Limbaugh lauded personal income and capital gains tax cuts the governor signed.
"I appreciate him saying nice words for me and I thought, in his time of need, to reciprocate," said Richardson, who has appointed a mix of Republicans and Democrats to state boards and commissions.
The topic also gave Richardson a chance to reiterate his fear that medical data— especially electronic information— can be too easily accessed or violated.
"I worry when the federal government and state governments violate people's privacy (when it comes to) the Patriot Act and what I believe are illegal detentions, and in the same vein, medical privacy.
"I hope he wins his case," Richardson said.
It wasn't the first politically unpredictable move by Richardson this year.
Earlier this month, Richardson defended the reputation of House Minority Whip Joe Thompson, R-Albuquerque, after Thompson was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.
Less than 24 hours earlier, the Republican lawmaker had attended a bill-signing ceremony with Richardson at the Capitol to tout new legislation aimed at combating DWI.Copyright 2004 Albuquerque Journal
Since X42 refused to reveal his medical records, it seems that Richardson may feel that he will also be able to refuse to release his own should he be tapped for veep.
I don't like the idea of Rush releasing this letter, it smells of opportunism and I'm not sure which one is the opportunist.
Yeah, sure you do you fat piece of.....
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