"Institute for Health Freedom" release

[peter marshall <techdiff@ix.netcom.com>]

http://www.usnewswire.com:80/topnews/Current_Releases/0715-151.ht
m

>  
> Group: Congress Has Three Weeks to Act on Medical Privacy

> U.S. Newswire
> 15 Jul 18:45
> 
> Health Freedom Group: Congress Has Three Weeks to Act on 
  Medical Privacy

  http://www.ForHealthFreedom.org
> 
> WASHINGTON, July 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Will Congress protect
> American's right to medical privacy? That is what people all across
> the country want to know. The American public is fast awakening to
> the fact that Congress has only until August 21 to pass a law to
> protect medical privacy, but many people haven't realized yet that
> Congress is scheduled to break for more than a monthlong recess on
> August 7.
> 
> "With its summer recess starting August 7, Congress really has
> only three work weeks left to meet its mandate for ensuring medical
> privacy," says Sue Blevins, president of the Institute for Health
> Freedom. "The American people should speak up well before August 7
> about how important it is for their medical information to be
> protected," warns Blevins.
> 
> What's the debate all about? For nearly three years,
> congressional leaders have known they must pass a medical privacy law
> by August 21, 1999, or the Clinton Administration -- through the
> Department of Health and Human Services -- will be granted the
> authority to regulate Americans' medical privacy.
> 
> "Current proposals claiming to make medical information as
> 'non-identifiable as possible' is no guarantee for true medical
> privacy," states Blevins. "Can such vague legislation really
> guarantee that researchers won't be able to trace back patients'
> personal information -- including genetic and cellular information?"
> asks Blevins. "With efforts to double the current $15 billion federal
> budget for biomedical research, it is apparent that scientists are
> going to need more data to complete research projects," continues
> Blevins. "But government has no right to allow researchers access to
> private-paying patients' medical information without first obtaining
> their consent."
> 
> Just yesterday, the Clinton Administration announced that its
> National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) completed a review of
> the ethical and medical considerations associated with human stem
> cell research. The Administration reports that it "recognizes that
> human stem cell technology's potential medical benefits are
> compelling and worthy of pursuit, so long as the research is
> conducted according to the highest ethical standards. NIH is putting
> in place guidelines and an oversight system that will ensure that the
> cells are obtained in an ethically sound manner."
> 
> The Institute for Health Freedom urges Congress, the Clinton
> Administration, and the NIH to maintain and enforce strong informed
> consent principles. "Research without consent is unethical," says
> Blevins.
> 
> ------

> Copyright 1999, U.S. Newswire