[AM2000]

What you say about the Clinton agenda may very well be true - I don't doubt it, since it's totally in line with the way that administration operated.

Having said that, I don't understand the need to bring the Democrats into this argument. Bush is the one who's going to let corporate America (the insurance companies and HMOs) look at my medical records without my consent. That's the bottom line and there's no sugarcoating it.

[jimtorr]

""the insurance companies and HMOs) look at my medical records without my consent.""

Yes, that is correct. However, if you want the x-ray technician to know why you are in his office, he needs to see some of your medical records. If you want your insurance company to pay your doctor, they need to know what they are paying for.

Under the regulations that the Clintons wrote, you would have to sign a release form specifically for each case I've noted, and every time.

Try reading what the new regulations actually say, not just what the slime-ball press and Kennedy say about them. You will find that there are many safeguards in them that do not even exist today. Even this misleading articel mentions several new protections.

[My2Cents]

If you don't want your doctor sharing the fact you have STDs or whatever with the folks they might make your records public to (which are ordinarily going to be third party payers, and I assume you want them to know so they'll pay for your treatment), tell your doctor. Your doctor will have to consider your request, and record in your file not to share information with so-and-so.

This isn't about a sell-out to corporate America. Stop demagoguing the issue. This is about REASONABLE measure to protect privacy, which the revised regs do....protect privacy!

[bonesmccoy]

No, that WAS the goal of the Clinton Administration HCFA 1995, 1997, and 1999 codes. But then again, you are clearly not involved in the medical billing process.

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

Bush is the one who's going to let corporate America (the insurance companies and HMOs) look at my medical records without my consent.

No. You are the guy who is going to allow insurance companies and HMOs to look at your medical records. They will not pay the bills without your medical records. That is how the system already is and nothing on that level has changed. The only thing that nearly changed was the Clinton plan that would have required you to sign for each and every bill or referral to another doctor, hospital, lab, etc and sign again to get the records back to your regular physician.

[DreamWeaver]

Bush is the one who's going to let corporate America (the insurance companies and HMOs) look at my medical records without my consent. That's the bottom line and there's no sugarcoating it.

How right you are...