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Jim Hyland wrote: > > At 10:22 AM 10/14/96 -0400, Rita Weeks wrote: > >I want to first make perfectly clear that it is NOT my intent to discredit or > >reduce support for the Udall Bill. I offer this information only in the > >debate re: reaction to the NE Parkinson's Registry on the Parkinsn Listserv. > >Most comments have opposed the registry. Legislation established specific > >guidelines as to who has access to the database in NE..............Most who > >voice objection do so for fear the state agency may not adhere to the > >legislation as it was enacted......rights to privacy, insured by the > >legislation, may be jeopardized. > > > ________________________________________- > > I want to take some comfort in specifically just how that right to > privacy is insured by the legislation. > > > Section 14 of the registry law says " Any private or public > entity, individual, or approved researcher who wrongfully discloses > confidential data obtained from the medical record and health information > registries or uses such information with the intent to deceive shall be > guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor for each offense." > > Now let's take a look at Nebraska Criminal Code to determine the > level of comfort such protection actually provides. > > > LAW 28-106. (1) For purposes of the Nebraska Criminal Code and > any statute passed by the Legislature after the date of passage of the code, > misdemeanors are divided into seven classes which are distinguished from one > another by the following penalties which are authorized upon conviction: > Class IV misdemeanor...... Maximum -- no imprisonment, five hundred > dollars fine > Minimum -- one hundred > dollars fine > > I don't know how much money you spent at the supermarket last month > for groceries, but I don't find much solace in the knowledge that an > insurance company will be deterred from wrongdoing by the prospect of a > maximum five hundred dollar fine. > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > TRW Spacecraft Operations East > 14320 Sullyfield Circle > Chantilly VA 22021 > (703) 802-1863Yes, there may be legislative safeguards, but these can easily be changed or eliminated. Check the history in the US of the Social Security Numbers which were initially to be used only for Social Security purposes. One can never trust government to keep promises or obey legislation. Look how our Constitution has been ignored and re-written w/o benefit of amendment. Give an inch and they take a mile. Registration >>> NO! Doug