Hip, hip, HIPAA
I do not believe that the government can effectively protect privacy. I've often said so publicly and have gotten into lengthy debates with people who have faith in the system. They often point to legislation as a way out, such as the landmark medical privacy bill passed several years ago called HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). HIPAA was ostensibly a way for the government to levy fines against medical providers who breached patient confidentiality.
An article today by the Washington Post shows the truth. Out of the 19,420 grievances filed so far with the government, only two cases have been prosecuted. One was a bunko scheme where a cancer patient's credit card information was ripped off, the second involved an FBI agent medical record being stolen. So far, there has not been a single fine imposed as a result of HIPAA--not one.
This is the problem with trusting Big Daddy to stop Big Brother--it won't happen. Unless mandatory fines are required as part of future privacy legislation, there just won't be any action. Sure, some of it is because of the Bushies...but I doubt that a Democrat administration would be much better. Too much lobbying money from the health care industry.
Posted on June 05, 2006
