I agree, this is a little bit strange.
Its my understanding that under Reagan the health care system was amended to stop this kind of thing from happening. Has some constitutional implications to it as well, its definitely a little on the weird side.
Kinda like the PATRIOTACT for you medical privacy. ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS SHOULD GET TO KNOW THIS LEGISLATION.
Although this bill was named to project the image that it protects citizens medical privacy, IT in fact does just the opposite. It puts your medical care directly in the hands of the US goverment, by force, and by fines on your Physicians of up to $50,000(?) and prison time. (If your doctor refuses to submit ALL patients records/including your and mine, off to jail he goes).
Once the feds have your records, they are allowed to distribute them to insurance agencies, police agencies, and even foriegn organizations. (No Sh!t). The part where it relates to this case is near the end of the Bill, where basically says THEY CAN DENY CITIZENS ACCESS TO THEIR OWN RECORDS SHOULD THEY DETERMINE SUCH CITIZEN "MEDICALLY INCOMPETENT".
I sent several mailings to my congress critters, to no avail. I believe it passed by a show of hands. (Cowards). THIS BILL IS OUTRAGEOUS. AGAIN, ALL AMERICAN CITZENS SHOULD GET TO KNOW THIS LEGISLATION.
The possibilities are just so groovy for the "adults in charge" now.