Re: my last word (Thankfully!)

[JMRoraback@aol.com]

  In a message dated 96-05-09 21:49:30 EDT, llorton@shell.portal.com (Lewis
  Lorton) writes:
  
  >    2.  Should patients have the right to keep information from
  >    genetic testing from insurance companies?
  >
  >(My answer:  when you took the Queen's shilling, you forfeited your 
  >right to privacy.  If you want someone else to pay for your care, you 
  >no longer have the right to keep the knowledge from them.)
  >=================================================
  
  
  What you seem to forget is that the people who use this insurance do PAY for
  it. The folks taking "the Queen's shilling" are the insurance companies, not
  the insured, who are the CUSTOMERS. There are no insurance companies that I
  am aware of that give away health insurance for free - however, I am open to
  learning of any that do and I will be glad to share all my confidential
  health information with them.
  
  You argument that someone else is paying for your care is totally specious,
  of course. The health insurance companies are in fact making large profits on
  the money paid to them to manage our money.
  
  
  >My addendum to these last set of notes is that it is extremely easy for
  >those who know nothing (and have demonstrated such) about the providing of
  >health care or the management of data to  pontificate about the realtive
  >importance of security and confidentiality. The health care professions have
  >been attempting to provide care and maintain confidentiality in pace with
  >technology since doctors began writing prescriptions in Latin.  
  >
  >I would be interested to see any of these letter writers actually try do
  >something about any of these problems beyond suggest rules for others to
  >attempt to enforce.
  >  
  >I would be interested to see someone, say Jamie Love, describe and
  >demonstrate the "perfect" solution. 
  >
  >How sad that this is the best there is - dilettantes waving their hands and
  >proclaiming that their own private, noble set of values triumphs over the
  >reality of the tough, evil world - full of lurking companies interested in
  >breaking computer codes to find out you temperature. 
  >
  >Get a grip, people. Get a Life.
  
  
  You are arrogant and condescending. You may be an exception, but it has been
  my experience that those who so summarily dismiss the thoughts and concerns
  of others on the basis of some unproven claim to special knowledge of "how
  things are" rarely have much to contribute in identifying or solving
  problems.
  
  However, perhaps you would care to describe the "perfect solution" that you
  challenged Jamie Love to offer.
  
  John Roraback