WASHINGTON, March 21 — Doctors could disclose patient information without written
permission and parents would get more access to their children’s records under revisions to
medical privacy rules announced Thursday by the government. Health care providers welcomed
the changes, while the American Medical Association and activists criticized the removal of a
written consent form from the Clinton-era rules.

Written consent, not now required, would have been necessary under the Clinton rules to disclose
patient information even for routine matters such as treatment and payment

The Bush revision does away with that requirement, saying providers must notify patients of
their privacy policies. Also, doctors, hospitals and others who directly treat patients must make a
“good-faith effort” to get written acknowledgment from patients that they have been notified.
The changes also make clear that incidental releases of private information are permitted — a
conversation at a hospital nurses’ stand or names listed on a sign-in sheet at a doctor’s office, for
example

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So a child molester in your neighborhood can't hold private that he has AIDS?

Yeah, because I don't know about you, but that's one child molestor that I wouldn't want kids to play with...

Rick, why do you always defend the perverts and folks that really don't care whether you exist or not!? Charlie

CHAR 5353: defend the perverts and folks that really don't care" what are you talking about. i don't want my info made public, do you?

Geesh - can't believe I'm going to say this ... but ... I do have to agree with Rick here on this one for the most part. I do believe that medical records are/should be protected under the Privacy Act of 1974, however, I also believe that they do/can play a very important role in both the medical and judicial system. What I DO NOT want to see is my medical record information sold to various marketing companies so they can send me 'free samples' of high blood pressure medication, new types of allergy meds, etc... then again - I would be willing to try another free sample of viagra ... last time I took it - damn pill got stuck in my throat .... had a stiff neck for three days ....

Are you sure it was the pill that got stuck in your throat?

.... what's that stumpy? Oh ... the pill ... well, it was awfully small and it was purple ... why do you ask? Missing anything? Just remember, I can always brush my teeth ... what would you do in the morning ...

I figured that teeth would not be a problem!LOL

"[email protected]: Geesh - can't believe I'm going to say this ... but ... I do have to agree with Rick here on this one for the most part." why, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. "high blood pressure medication". i never would have guessed.