The failure of HIPAA for consumers is becoming increasingly apparent. It is not fixable and therefore instead of throwing good money after bad, HIPAA and all the money spent around it should be terminated. (for HIPAA lacks, there are many who are proposing this change or that such as the following website:
http://www.patientprivacyrights.org/site/PageServer?JServSessionIdr007=3sf6opa0g1.app6b)
Get rid of it. If you are a patient who has benefited from HIPAA, let me know, not likely. HIPAA functions as a warning label, it tells patients what their information will and can be used for, we've all seen the form provided by health services providers.
Now, we've got individuals scrambling for insurance coverage. No doubt the online research includes websites comparing insurance quotes, just fill out the form, and make sure you air ALL of your medical history because otherwise you might find your health insurance contract rescinded for fraud. Okay, we will obey. But what do these sites owe you in the way of privacy? Nothing. A sample of one of the privacy policies can be found at:
(http://www.humana-one.com/health-insurance/HumanaOne-Internet-Privacy-Statement.asp)
The privacy formula: We'll do our best, but once you tell us everything in your effort to shop around for health insurance, you've pretty much CONSENTED to the risk that your health is public. Most privacy policies include statements that they'll share your info with third parties (of course in the interest of getting you the very best insurance coverage) and by the way, that what those third parties do with your information is not their problem. NOT ONE site lists remedies for consumers who find that the details of their health are now integrated into the marketing and advertising community.
Get rid of HIPAA. Interestingly what is not readily available are the millions (I assume not yet billions, but who knows) that are currently spent on the ongoing actions of HIPAA. And the thing is useless to consumers. Sure, it will stop YOU from being able to find out about your eighteen year old's health, but it won't do anything to stop everyone else in the health services market place from knowing about your 18 year old's health, especially once he/she shops for his own insurance.
HIPAA is really just a warning: by participating in any aspect of health services, you forfeit your right to privacy....PERIOD.
