Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Phillip Longman's proposal to send professional voyeurs into medical records would be a disaster for patients, the practice of medicine and the American way of life ["From Typhoid Mary to Diabetic Debbie," op-ed, Feb. 15].

Medical records are full of privileged information, private details shared in a trusting relationship. National surveys consistently show strong public support for medical privacy. To dismiss privacy as a privilege is to ignore the needs of patients and the rights of citizens.

In Mr. Longman's view, every person should be "watched" through his or her medical record. Such intrusions would not only reduce the accuracy of data in the medical record -- wreaking havoc on research -- but also would cost more than a pretty penny to undo the resulting damage to the public's and patients' trust.

TWILA BRASE

President

Citizens' Council on Health Care

St. Paul, Minn.