So much for privacy

[Ghoulish Delight]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7025365/

The clinics said Kline demanded their complete, unedited medical records for women who sought abortions at least 22 weeks into their pregnancies in 2003, as well as those for girls 15 and younger who sought abortions. Court papers did not identify the clinics.
The records sought include the patient’s name, medical history, details of her sex life, birth control practices and psychological profile.Lovely.

[Not Afraid]

Were his ridiculous demands met - and WHY?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Were his ridiculous demands met - and WHY?Not yet, but one court upheld the demands (these are coming from the Attorney General of Kansas). The claim is that he's investigating child rape (age of consent is 16 in Kansas, apprantly) and illegal late term abortions (22 months is hte limit in Kansas). As usual, protected rights (such as doctor patient confidentiality) only apply until it's inconvenient to uphold them. :rolleyes:

[€uroMeinke]

And why were such detailed records kept in the first place?

[Scrooge McSam]

Because we are a very litigious society.

[Moonliner]

late term abortions (22 months is hte limit in Kansas).

Wow! That's pretty damn liberal....

[Ghoulish Delight]

Wow! That's pretty damn liberal....It may be, but that's hardly the issue here. Abortion laws or not, patient confidentiality is under assault here.

[scaeagles]

While I am no fan of abortion, I find this to be very disturbing. I cannot immagine why the first ruling by Anderson allowed Kline access to the records. Hopefully the appeals court will find differently. But I have a question - what if they do not? Is it possible that there is a valid reason for requiring these records?

This is what judicial review is all about. I certainly do not agree with every court decision, but should the courts rule against the clinic, what choice do they have? Destroy the records? Is the clinic management willing to put themselves in jail?

[mousepod]

GD, I think Moonliner was pointed at the "22 months" as opposed to weeks.

Which reminds me of a joke:

A question posed to three clergymen - 'When does life begin?'

The Roman Catholic priest replied: "At the moment of conception."
The Anglican clergyman said: "When the child is born."
The Rabbi answered: "Life begins when the children are married and the mortgage is paid off."

[SacTown Chronic]

Wow! That's pretty damn liberal....

Yep, abortions up to the first birthday.

[Ghoulish Delight]

GD, I think Moonliner was pointed at the "22 months" as opposed to weeks.
:blush:

but should the courts rule against the clinic, what choice do they have? Destroy the records? Is the clinic management willing to put themselves in jail?I hope it doesn't get to that point, but I expect there to be protests, and it would be quite probable that at least one clinic employee might engage in some civil disobedience to get their point accross.

[mousepod]

On a serious note, the database here for the Survivor Counseling doesn't even have names, just numbers. Makes a lot of sense in this climate...

[Prudence]

And why were such detailed records kept in the first place?

Probably to make sure the patients got the best medical care. To get the best care, your doc needs to know everything. Do the circumstances mean they should check for STDs? Refer for counseling? Monitor for signs of mental illness/addiction/etc? So now you get to choose -- privacy, or care from someone who really knows what they're treating.