Employers and insurers control the records. Even if information is disclosed, patient rights are uncertain. Legislators are grappling with the issue. The Medical Records Confidentiality Act of 1995 died after it became clear that the measure made things easier for information gatherers. A new bill, The Fair Health Information Practices Act, introduced in January by Rep. Gary A. Condit, D- Calif., proposes more limited disclosure.
Legislation is piecemeal.
Thanks to revelations about Robert Bork's video habits, we enjoy the Video Privacy Protection Act of 1988. Cable companies cannot sell a list of the cable shows we've watched. Social Security numbers cannot be given out by government agencies. Under the Privacy Act of 1974, we may see, copy and correct personal information collected by the federal government. The Electronic Communications Protection Act of 1986 bars interception of electronic communications, with broad exceptions for employers and law enforcement.