Advocates say the database is good for patients, who will be tracked as they change doctors, insurers and jobs. They also believe a national storehouse of medical records will help doctors treat emergency cases a nd rare diseases. But it's an open invitation to violate Americans' privacy. Insurance companies, employers and hackers will have a field day. There is no end to the mischief that could be wrought.
Medical records are sensitive information.
Patients trust doctors with things they wouldn't tell anyone else. Just ask President Clinton. He still refuses to release his complete records. It's easy to imagine that patients would be reluctant to divulge personal information if they thought that trust was going to be breached. Mark it down as another unintended consequence.