A controversial plan to make HIV testing compulsory in South Africa has been criticised by campaigners who argue it would breach patients’ human rights. Politicians proposed that anyone visiting a doctor would be automatically tested for the virus. Western Cape health minister Theuns Botha said the system would be a ‘major onslaught’ in the battle…
UK police want to tag medical records of gun license holders
In a recent news story out of the UK, Barnaby Dracup reported: The shooting community is up in arms over a controversial new proposal to electronically tag medical records of gun licence holders. The British Medical Association (BMA) and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) have revealed that they are currently discussing ways doctors can…
Colorado man sentenced to 10 years in ID theft case
The Associated Press reports that Terry Paul Dorman, “who authorities say stole identities off tax returns that he prepared for clients” has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in July to theft, identity theft, securities fraud, and tax evasion.
Keizer man accused of stealing personal information for homes
Stacey Barchenger reports: A Keizer [Oregon] man was arrested Friday on an accusation that he used stolen personal information to finance two homes in the Salem area. Salem Police detectives arrested Julian Ruiz, 38, near the intersection of River and Brooklake roads NE, said Lt. Steve Birr, who leads the department’s criminal investigations section. Ruiz…
Electronic health records open patient privacy questions
Alice Lipowicz reports: A federal advisory panel today heard several proposals about how to best protect patient privacy while creating and sharing electronic health records (EHRs). The Health Information Technology Policy Committee convened to prepare recommendations to the Health and Human Services Department on distributing $19 billion in economic stimulus funding for incentive payments for EHRs…
HHS guts health-care breach notification law, groups warn
Jaikumar Vijayan reports: Privacy and civil rights advocates accused the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of trying to neuter a landmark data breach notification law for health care organizations that is scheduled to go into effect next week. The law would require any organization covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act…