[JediJones]

But then again, before HIPAA there used to be a sacrosanct doctor-patient confidentiality. W. Bush decided that terrorist doctors and terrorist patients had to be stripped of that confidentiality, or the terrorists would win.

HIPAA was passed in 1996.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Yes, but it was effectively corrupted by the Patriot Act, Section 215, which opened the door to widespread dissemination of medical information to the federal government and state and local police agencies as well.