[Med-privacy] "Groups Back Limbaugh Privacy Bid"

[pmarshall]

Groups Back Limbaugh Privacy Bid

Wed Jan 21

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Three medical organizations  have asked  a court

for permission to support Rush Limbaugh's attempts to keep his medical
records sealed.

The Association of  American Physicians and  Surgeons, the  Florida Pain

Initiative and the National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain  want
to  file a friend-of-the-court  brief in  the conservative radio show
host's
drug case, arguing doctor-patient privilege is at stake.

The groups would  join the  American Civil Liberties  Union  in
supporting Limbaugh's
legal fight to keep his records private.

"If  medical records  suddenly become tools  of law  enforcement, people

will be reluctant to seek medical help, reluctant to level with  their
doctors,"
said  Mary Baluss, a  Washington lawyer  with The Pain Law Institute who
helped
write Tuesday's petition to the 4th District Court of Appeal.

Prosecutors say investigators have followed  state laws  since beginning

their investigation last year, after Limbaugh's former maid told them
she was Limbaugh's longtime drug supplier.

The  appeals  court  on  Jan.  13 ordered the  records sealed  until the

appeal is further reviewed.

Prosecutors  seized  the  records  in  November.  They  obtained  search

warrants after learning Limbaugh received  more than  2,000 painkillers,

prescribed by four doctors in six months.

Limbaugh's attorneys argue that the seizure violated  Limbaugh's privacy

and that the investigation was politically motivated.

[Yahoo News]