The stimulus plan as been debated ad nauseum but yet many of the details are unknown, unpublicized and little discussed.  This is one that is most important.  While it is true, that modern data systems are important to the future of medicine, and this site has voiced strong support of information technology integration into the medical system, it is also true that fully Federalized and centralized data collection can be misused.   The most disturbing facets of this are as outlined in the article from Bloomberg below.  A counter argument from AARP misses the point – the approach being outlined in this bill is similar to programs established by the NHS in England which essentially are designed to ration care.  We can be thankful that socialized medicine affecinado Mr. Daschle has driven off into the sunset with his limo and driver.  Nevertheless, we must guard against this potentially evil – and that is the word I mean – usurpation of individual rights and professional autonomy in the care of the sick.  Afterall, physicians have been at this officially for over 2,500  years.  The US government, not so long . . . jomaxx

Ruin Your Health With the Obama Stimulus Plan

Republican Senators are questioning whether President Barack Obama’s stimulus bill contains the right mix of tax breaks and cash infusions to jump-start the economy. Tragically, no one from either party is objecting to the health provisions slipped in without discussion. These provisions reflect the handiwork of Tom Daschle, until recently the nominee to head the Health and Human Services Department. Senators should read these provisions and vote against them because they are dangerous to your health. (Page numbers refer to H.R. 1 EH, pdf version).

The bill’s health rules will affect “every individual in the United States” (445, 454, 479). Your medical treatments will be tracked electronically by a federal system. Having electronic medical records at your fingertips, easily transferred to a hospital, is beneficial. It will help avoid duplicate tests and errors.

But the bill goes further. One new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions (442, 446). These provisions in the stimulus bill are virtually identical to what Daschle prescribed in his 2008 book, “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.” According to Daschle, doctors have to give up autonomy and “learn to operate less like solo practitioners.”

read more @

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs

http://www.aarp.org/aarp/presscenter/pressrelease/articles/Health_Research_Investment.html