Remarks by Congresswoman Lois Capps Hearing on HR 2470 Good morning. I would like to thank the chairman for holding this important hearing and welcome all of our distinguished witnesses here today, in particular Christine Carty from the California Healthcare Institute who I have worked closely with in the past on a variety of health related issues.
Medical privacy is a difficult and complex issue.
One the one hand, it is imperative that we prevent the misuse of patients' medical data. I believe strongly that we need to establish a national policy that safeguards an individual's right to privacy with respect to personally health information. The misuse of health information can harm patients and their families. Unauthorized use of our health status, genetic information or family history can make it difficult, if not impossible for many Americans to obtain health insurance. But if patients can't be sure that this sensitive and personal information will be kept confidential, they will not be so forthcoming.