Cynthia A. Janak
The "Mark of the Beast" is called "interoperability with electronic medical records" S.2911 & S.1693
By Cynthia A. Janak
S.2911 This was brought to my attention by an acquaintance of mine. They thought that this bill was pretty good. They liked it because they felt that the government would be doing a better job in regards to 'adverse event reporting' and the generation of 'reminder and recall notifications.' What this person did not understand was that if you look up "interoperability with electronic medical records" this bill takes on a whole different meaning.
Here is the first section that I am going to inform you about.
SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR VACCINATION CO-LOCATION SERVICES AT WIC CLINICS.
Section 317(k) of the Public Health Service Act (42 9 U.S.C. 247b(k)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(5) IMMUNIZATIONS
(E) DEFINITIONS. — In this paragraph:
(i) IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION SYSTEM. — The term 'immunization information system' means a confidential, computerized information system that collects and consolidates
vaccination data from multiple health-care providers, generates reminder and recall notifications, and assess vaccination coverage. Such systems may have added capabilities, such as vaccine management, adverse event reporting, lifespan vaccination histories, and interoperability with electronic medical records.
What is "interoperability with electronic medical records"?
I did a Google search with this phrase. I was surprised with the results. What I am going to do is quote a few of the websites that deal this topic.
Electronic Medical Record Interoperability
Medtronic is strategically committed to providing its customers timely and easy access to the information resident in its various cardiac information systems, and to the provision of workflow tools that make it easy to transmit, access, and manage that information. Today, Medtronic leads the industry with technology solutions that connect data from a patient's device all the way to the electronic medical record (EMR). The Medtronic CareLink® Network, Medtronic CareLink® Programmer, and Paceart® System are the key components to seamless management and transfer of patient device data.
In 2003, Paceart completed the link to the electronic medical record via its Export Module. Today, Paceart customers use this option to transmit software-industry-standard XML-based data to their electronic medical records, combining cardiac data with other patient information to provide more comprehensive insights into patient care.
Medtronic is committed not only to the transfer of Paceart-managed clinical data to the electronic medical record, but also to ensuring that its various cardiac information tools are designed to complement the capabilities of such systems. Such "interoperability" empowers clinicians to provide optimal patient care and efficient clinic workflow management. Interoperability will proceed on two fronts: the adoption of Health Level Seven (HL7) messaging protocols and the close collaboration with leading electronic medical record system providers to simplify data movement.
HL7
Paceart's HL7 messaging activities will tentatively focus on in- and outbound patient demographic, insurance, and scheduling data, as well as the outbound transfer of Paceart-managed clinical data. Paceart's 2006 First Edition will support the bi-directional exchange of patient demographic and insurance data via the HL7 ADT (admission, discharge, transfer) message.
Regarding HL7-based support for outbound transfer of clinical data, Medtronic is committed to delivering this capability as soon as HL7 formally adopts a comprehensive standard, which is currently under development. Medtronic, along with other implanted cardiac device industry leaders, is actively working with HL7 to develop this standard. In the interim, no vendor — either from the implanted cardiac device or health care information system industries — can accurately claim such support. While the exact timing of a substantive HL7 message type to support the planned transfer of data from implanted cardiac devices is uncertain, it is probable that a standard of limited scope may be available during 2005. A more comprehensive HL7 cardiac device message type is likely in 2006, with the expectation that leading EMRs would fully support the standard by 2007. http://www.medtronic.com/physician/paceart/electronic.html
August 09, 2006 03:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time
IBM Brings Electronic Medical Records One Step Closer Through Open Technology; Contributes Technology to Open Source Community; Establishes Innovation Centers to Work with Major Players, Business Partners
SAN JOSE, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Aug. 9, 2006 — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a major step in the drive toward a national electronic medical records system by contributing software technology that supports the exchange of healthcare information to the open source community.
"One of the more significant challenges in creating a national interoperable electronic healthcare information infrastructure is the ability to access disparate health records stored in proprietary medical IT systems," said Dan Pelino, general manager, IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry. "By making the client side components of our HIE technology available through OHF, we hope to help solve this problem by providing an easy and affordable way for ISVs to connect their applications to any HIE, where medical data can be accessed and integrated as if stored in a single repository. As a result of this patient-centric systems approach, clinicians will be able to access health records from virtually any medical IT system, regardless of where the information resides." http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060809005763&newsLang=en
What is EMR Interoperability?
It is the ability of software and hardware on different machines from different vendors to share data.
From an electronic health records standpoint interoperability is the ability to exchange clinical patient data between providers and systems to achieve continuity of care, and to be able to USE the data once it has been exchanged.
In order to illustrate how emr interoperability varies from product to product, we will use the Levels of Interoperability that are classified in "The Value of Health Care Information Exchange and Interoperability," as seen in Healthcare Affairs, January 19, 2005.
4 Levels of Interoperability in EHR Systems
Level 4 Interoperable EMR systems are the future of interoperability for a national healthcare system. Clinical data is available for calculations and aggregation; for example, automatic calculation of E&M codes. Codified systems have the capability to dramatically increase revenues by ascertaining complexity of medical decision making based on the documentation thus ensuring proper coding. Disease management is enhanced through the aggregation and reporting of quality of care indicators over time. Codified EHRs provide for additional revenue opportunities in respect of clinical trials, and allow for advanced access to patient charts and the ability for patient chart exchange, data sharing and clinical data repositories.
What does this mean to the healthcare system?
Systems like Record that offer Level 4 Interoperability are the key to achieving the benefits of a national healthcare information system and preventing higher costs or further fragmentation. The data standard used by the Department of Defense is MEDCIN, the nomenclature on which Record is built. National Health Information Technology Coordinator Dr. David Brailer's office also is monitoring the DOD system to see how it can be used in the private sector, American Medical News reports. "Brailer is especially interested in the data standards that enable military facilities with different equipment to access shared patient information." Source: www.ihealthbeat.org. http://www.medcomsoft.com/EMR-Interoperability.aspx
That is interesting that the Department of Defense is using something called MEDCIN and Dr. Brailer's office is monitoring this use to see if it can be used in the private sector. Let us take a look at what MEDCIN really is.
Coding Standards
• MEDCIN — Developed by Medicomp, it includes over 250,000 clinical data elements encompassing symptoms, history, physical examination, tests, diagnoses and therapy. This clinical vocabulary contains over 26 years of research and development as well as the capability to cross map to leading codification systems such as SNOMED, CPT, ICD, GSM and LOINC. The MEDCIN coding system is the ideal coding system for point-of-care documentation and architecture. MedcomSoft Record is embedded with MEDCIN, and produces fully structured and numerically codified patient charts that enable the aggregation, analysis, and extensive mining of all clinical and practice management data related to a disease, a patient or a population. http://www.medcomsoft.com/EMR-Standards.aspx
3M, Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded a $5,541,580 firm-fixed-price contract for renewal of current maintenance and support for 3M Care Innovation (CI) licensed software product suite architected, developed and manufactured by 3M as required by the Clinical Information Technology Program Office (CITPO). These services will include maintenance and support coverage on 3M CI software applications; CI Interface software; BEA Tuxedo software support; and Medcin Medicomp software data files and data support. These applications are accessed and used at Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) worldwide.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2007/10/dod-contracts_3618.htm
What I gather from all that I read is that this is a program that will take all the data in regards to disease and illness and do the work the doctor used to do manually. Your whole history will be available immediately no matter where you are. That in itself is not a bad thing.
How many times have we moved and had to acquaint ourselves with a new family doctor. That could take months. Just getting the records and having the new doctor get to know your family. I know. I have done that.
Basically, this follows through with the next section in the bill. This MEDCIN is a health information exchange.
SEC. 4. SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS.
It is the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should work to improve the integration of immunization information systems (as defined in section 317(k)(5) of the Public Health Service Act) with electronic medical records, other health information systems, and health information exchanges.
Let us look at the whole picture of the underlined. What does this mean to the average citizen of the United States of America?
Once you have one computer talking to another computer things naturally go to the next level.
With WiFi technology you can take this 'health information exchange' to a whole new realm. The DOD has installed a data chip on the dog tags of every service personnel. This is good because if someone gets injured on the battle field the EMT needs to access that entire person's medical history in an instant. So this technology saves lives in combat conditions. I approve of this type of usage.
Now, let us look at what they are doing in Florida.
April 29, 2008 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
VeriChip Corporation Launches HEALTH LINK SYSTEM in Florida Revolutionizing Future of Emergency Medicine
Greater Palm Beach Area Residents and Hospitals First in State to Benefit From New Service
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Florida's emergency health care system is receiving a shot in the arm this week with the introduction of Health Link, a revolutionary bio-medical technology created by VeriChip Corporation of Delray Beach, FL.
The introduction is initially aimed at residents and hospitals in the Greater Palm Beach area. The service will eventually be introduced throughout the state and the nation. Sixteen hospitals in the region have welcomed the System into their emergency room protocol practices and signed on as program participants.
For program participants, this means they will able to receive critical care more rapidly, accurately and safely. Emergency contact information is also provided, offering greater peace of mind for the Health Link member, his or her family and caregivers.
Health Link requires implanting program participants with a tiny microchip (similar in size to a grain of rice) just under the skin in the rear upper portion of the right arm.
The Health Link microchip contains a 16-digit identification number that, when scanned by a Health Link hand held electronic reader, provides a secure link to a private, online database that reveals the patient's personal health records and emergency contact information.
No other information is contained on the microchip. Once the Health Link microchip is implanted, it cannot be lost or stolen. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080429005913&newsLang=en
I told you this was going to happen back in 2005. Here is a link to that article "The mark of the beast is around the corner. http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/janak/051108
This chip is basically an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. This technology will be able to be accessed easily for your name and identifiable information.
With the handheld device pictured here you can see how they can use this device.
The VeriMed Patient Identification System, which consists of a hand-held radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner, an implantable RFID microchip, and a secure patient database, is being used to help rapidly identify and provide access to important health information on participating patients. http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/6339
This technology will come under the heading of "other health information systems" in regards to this bill.
I also want to inform you about S.1693. This takes S.2911 to the next level.
S. 1693
To enhance the adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology system and to improve the quality and reduce the costs of health care in the United States.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 26, 2007
Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. ENZI, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. HATCH, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. GREGG, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. BURR, Mr. ROBERTS, and Mr. ISAKSON) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
SEC. 3004. AMERICAN HEALTH INFORMATION COMMUNITY — POLICIES
(a) Establishment- There is established a committee to be known as the American Health Information Community. The Community shall —
(3) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, make recommendation concerning national policies for adoption by the Federal Government, and voluntary adoption by private entities, to support the widespread adoption of health information technology, including —
(D) the appropriate uses of a nationwide health information network including —
(i) the collection of quality data and public reporting;
(ii) biosurveillance and public health;
(iii) medical and clinical research; and
(iv) drug safety;
SEC. 3008. FACILITATING THE WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF INTEROPERABLE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations-
(1) IN GENERAL- For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $139,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $139,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(2) AVAILABILITY- Amounts appropriated under paragraph shall remain available through fiscal year 2012.
Here is the bill that is going to fund all this technology and it is proposed by Kennedy, Clinton, Hatch and Obama. I am sorry but I do not want to support in any way, shape or form the implementation of the VeriChip. Why should our tax dollars go to some corporation or entity created by big government?
I am going to finish with a definition of "Biosurveillance."
Understanding Biosurveillance
The term"biosurveillance" describes the monitoring of a population for changes against a standard or norm.
The Need For Consolidated Public Safety Data
In addition to local biosurveillance needs, the CDC, Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security have implemented steps to begin monitoring regional and consolidate biosurveillance data and trends in order to be able to see the "big picture" in real or near real time. This means that Public Safety data should be monitored on the local level, AND the data should be sent to a centralized repository for aggregation into larger geographic areas in order to detect a multi-site concurrent attack. http://www.stoutsolutions.com/mediacontent/FirstWatchUpClose_1314.pdf??Trust
So now you have the full picture of what this technology has the potential to do. You get the chip in your arm or hand and someone from Homeland Security announces a situation detrimental to the Public Safety everyone may be forced to be scanned. What if that public safety is a group of people who have a different opinion to what freedom is? They could be termed detrimental to the Public Safety under the Patriot Act.
There you have it. You have the database setup, the VeriChip, the appropriations for this technology and you have what they are really going to use it for CONTROL OF THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND POSSIBLY THE WORLD.
That is my opinion. Sorry for the caps and bold but that is how I feel.
Stop these bills by calling your legislators today.
TO FIND YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN
Find your Senators=> www.Senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Find your Congressmen=> www.House.gov/writerep
Find your Congressmen & Senators=> www.MoralLaw.org/delegation.htm
Find your Newspapers=> www.TownHall.com/action/write_media.html/
Find Local Talk-Radio=> www.Radio-Locator.com
© Cynthia A. Janak
S.2911 This was brought to my attention by an acquaintance of mine. They thought that this bill was pretty good. They liked it because they felt that the government would be doing a better job in regards to 'adverse event reporting' and the generation of 'reminder and recall notifications.' What this person did not understand was that if you look up "interoperability with electronic medical records" this bill takes on a whole different meaning.
Here is the first section that I am going to inform you about.
SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR VACCINATION CO-LOCATION SERVICES AT WIC CLINICS.
Section 317(k) of the Public Health Service Act (42 9 U.S.C. 247b(k)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(5) IMMUNIZATIONS
(E) DEFINITIONS. — In this paragraph:
(i) IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION SYSTEM. — The term 'immunization information system' means a confidential, computerized information system that collects and consolidates
vaccination data from multiple health-care providers, generates reminder and recall notifications, and assess vaccination coverage. Such systems may have added capabilities, such as vaccine management, adverse event reporting, lifespan vaccination histories, and interoperability with electronic medical records.
What is "interoperability with electronic medical records"?
I did a Google search with this phrase. I was surprised with the results. What I am going to do is quote a few of the websites that deal this topic.
Electronic Medical Record Interoperability
Medtronic is strategically committed to providing its customers timely and easy access to the information resident in its various cardiac information systems, and to the provision of workflow tools that make it easy to transmit, access, and manage that information. Today, Medtronic leads the industry with technology solutions that connect data from a patient's device all the way to the electronic medical record (EMR). The Medtronic CareLink® Network, Medtronic CareLink® Programmer, and Paceart® System are the key components to seamless management and transfer of patient device data.
In 2003, Paceart completed the link to the electronic medical record via its Export Module. Today, Paceart customers use this option to transmit software-industry-standard XML-based data to their electronic medical records, combining cardiac data with other patient information to provide more comprehensive insights into patient care.
Medtronic is committed not only to the transfer of Paceart-managed clinical data to the electronic medical record, but also to ensuring that its various cardiac information tools are designed to complement the capabilities of such systems. Such "interoperability" empowers clinicians to provide optimal patient care and efficient clinic workflow management. Interoperability will proceed on two fronts: the adoption of Health Level Seven (HL7) messaging protocols and the close collaboration with leading electronic medical record system providers to simplify data movement.
HL7
Paceart's HL7 messaging activities will tentatively focus on in- and outbound patient demographic, insurance, and scheduling data, as well as the outbound transfer of Paceart-managed clinical data. Paceart's 2006 First Edition will support the bi-directional exchange of patient demographic and insurance data via the HL7 ADT (admission, discharge, transfer) message.
Regarding HL7-based support for outbound transfer of clinical data, Medtronic is committed to delivering this capability as soon as HL7 formally adopts a comprehensive standard, which is currently under development. Medtronic, along with other implanted cardiac device industry leaders, is actively working with HL7 to develop this standard. In the interim, no vendor — either from the implanted cardiac device or health care information system industries — can accurately claim such support. While the exact timing of a substantive HL7 message type to support the planned transfer of data from implanted cardiac devices is uncertain, it is probable that a standard of limited scope may be available during 2005. A more comprehensive HL7 cardiac device message type is likely in 2006, with the expectation that leading EMRs would fully support the standard by 2007. http://www.medtronic.com/physician/paceart/electronic.html
August 09, 2006 03:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time
IBM Brings Electronic Medical Records One Step Closer Through Open Technology; Contributes Technology to Open Source Community; Establishes Innovation Centers to Work with Major Players, Business Partners
SAN JOSE, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Aug. 9, 2006 — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a major step in the drive toward a national electronic medical records system by contributing software technology that supports the exchange of healthcare information to the open source community.
"One of the more significant challenges in creating a national interoperable electronic healthcare information infrastructure is the ability to access disparate health records stored in proprietary medical IT systems," said Dan Pelino, general manager, IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry. "By making the client side components of our HIE technology available through OHF, we hope to help solve this problem by providing an easy and affordable way for ISVs to connect their applications to any HIE, where medical data can be accessed and integrated as if stored in a single repository. As a result of this patient-centric systems approach, clinicians will be able to access health records from virtually any medical IT system, regardless of where the information resides." http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060809005763&newsLang=en
What is EMR Interoperability?
It is the ability of software and hardware on different machines from different vendors to share data.
From an electronic health records standpoint interoperability is the ability to exchange clinical patient data between providers and systems to achieve continuity of care, and to be able to USE the data once it has been exchanged.
In order to illustrate how emr interoperability varies from product to product, we will use the Levels of Interoperability that are classified in "The Value of Health Care Information Exchange and Interoperability," as seen in Healthcare Affairs, January 19, 2005.
4 Levels of Interoperability in EHR Systems
Level 4 Interoperable EMR systems are the future of interoperability for a national healthcare system. Clinical data is available for calculations and aggregation; for example, automatic calculation of E&M codes. Codified systems have the capability to dramatically increase revenues by ascertaining complexity of medical decision making based on the documentation thus ensuring proper coding. Disease management is enhanced through the aggregation and reporting of quality of care indicators over time. Codified EHRs provide for additional revenue opportunities in respect of clinical trials, and allow for advanced access to patient charts and the ability for patient chart exchange, data sharing and clinical data repositories.
What does this mean to the healthcare system?
Systems like Record that offer Level 4 Interoperability are the key to achieving the benefits of a national healthcare information system and preventing higher costs or further fragmentation. The data standard used by the Department of Defense is MEDCIN, the nomenclature on which Record is built. National Health Information Technology Coordinator Dr. David Brailer's office also is monitoring the DOD system to see how it can be used in the private sector, American Medical News reports. "Brailer is especially interested in the data standards that enable military facilities with different equipment to access shared patient information." Source: www.ihealthbeat.org. http://www.medcomsoft.com/EMR-Interoperability.aspx
That is interesting that the Department of Defense is using something called MEDCIN and Dr. Brailer's office is monitoring this use to see if it can be used in the private sector. Let us take a look at what MEDCIN really is.
Coding Standards
• MEDCIN — Developed by Medicomp, it includes over 250,000 clinical data elements encompassing symptoms, history, physical examination, tests, diagnoses and therapy. This clinical vocabulary contains over 26 years of research and development as well as the capability to cross map to leading codification systems such as SNOMED, CPT, ICD, GSM and LOINC. The MEDCIN coding system is the ideal coding system for point-of-care documentation and architecture. MedcomSoft Record is embedded with MEDCIN, and produces fully structured and numerically codified patient charts that enable the aggregation, analysis, and extensive mining of all clinical and practice management data related to a disease, a patient or a population. http://www.medcomsoft.com/EMR-Standards.aspx
3M, Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded a $5,541,580 firm-fixed-price contract for renewal of current maintenance and support for 3M Care Innovation (CI) licensed software product suite architected, developed and manufactured by 3M as required by the Clinical Information Technology Program Office (CITPO). These services will include maintenance and support coverage on 3M CI software applications; CI Interface software; BEA Tuxedo software support; and Medcin Medicomp software data files and data support. These applications are accessed and used at Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) worldwide.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2007/10/dod-contracts_3618.htm
What I gather from all that I read is that this is a program that will take all the data in regards to disease and illness and do the work the doctor used to do manually. Your whole history will be available immediately no matter where you are. That in itself is not a bad thing.
How many times have we moved and had to acquaint ourselves with a new family doctor. That could take months. Just getting the records and having the new doctor get to know your family. I know. I have done that.
Basically, this follows through with the next section in the bill. This MEDCIN is a health information exchange.
SEC. 4. SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS.
It is the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should work to improve the integration of immunization information systems (as defined in section 317(k)(5) of the Public Health Service Act) with electronic medical records, other health information systems, and health information exchanges.
Let us look at the whole picture of the underlined. What does this mean to the average citizen of the United States of America?
Once you have one computer talking to another computer things naturally go to the next level.
With WiFi technology you can take this 'health information exchange' to a whole new realm. The DOD has installed a data chip on the dog tags of every service personnel. This is good because if someone gets injured on the battle field the EMT needs to access that entire person's medical history in an instant. So this technology saves lives in combat conditions. I approve of this type of usage.
Now, let us look at what they are doing in Florida.
April 29, 2008 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
VeriChip Corporation Launches HEALTH LINK SYSTEM in Florida Revolutionizing Future of Emergency Medicine
Greater Palm Beach Area Residents and Hospitals First in State to Benefit From New Service
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Florida's emergency health care system is receiving a shot in the arm this week with the introduction of Health Link, a revolutionary bio-medical technology created by VeriChip Corporation of Delray Beach, FL.
The introduction is initially aimed at residents and hospitals in the Greater Palm Beach area. The service will eventually be introduced throughout the state and the nation. Sixteen hospitals in the region have welcomed the System into their emergency room protocol practices and signed on as program participants.
For program participants, this means they will able to receive critical care more rapidly, accurately and safely. Emergency contact information is also provided, offering greater peace of mind for the Health Link member, his or her family and caregivers.
Health Link requires implanting program participants with a tiny microchip (similar in size to a grain of rice) just under the skin in the rear upper portion of the right arm.
The Health Link microchip contains a 16-digit identification number that, when scanned by a Health Link hand held electronic reader, provides a secure link to a private, online database that reveals the patient's personal health records and emergency contact information.
No other information is contained on the microchip. Once the Health Link microchip is implanted, it cannot be lost or stolen. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080429005913&newsLang=en
I told you this was going to happen back in 2005. Here is a link to that article "The mark of the beast is around the corner. http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/janak/051108
This chip is basically an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. This technology will be able to be accessed easily for your name and identifiable information.With the handheld device pictured here you can see how they can use this device.
The VeriMed Patient Identification System, which consists of a hand-held radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner, an implantable RFID microchip, and a secure patient database, is being used to help rapidly identify and provide access to important health information on participating patients. http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/6339
This technology will come under the heading of "other health information systems" in regards to this bill.
I also want to inform you about S.1693. This takes S.2911 to the next level.
S. 1693
To enhance the adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology system and to improve the quality and reduce the costs of health care in the United States.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 26, 2007
Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. ENZI, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. HATCH, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. GREGG, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. BURR, Mr. ROBERTS, and Mr. ISAKSON) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
SEC. 3004. AMERICAN HEALTH INFORMATION COMMUNITY — POLICIES
(a) Establishment- There is established a committee to be known as the American Health Information Community. The Community shall —
(3) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, make recommendation concerning national policies for adoption by the Federal Government, and voluntary adoption by private entities, to support the widespread adoption of health information technology, including —
(D) the appropriate uses of a nationwide health information network including —
(i) the collection of quality data and public reporting;
(ii) biosurveillance and public health;
(iii) medical and clinical research; and
(iv) drug safety;
SEC. 3008. FACILITATING THE WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF INTEROPERABLE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations-
(1) IN GENERAL- For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $139,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $139,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(2) AVAILABILITY- Amounts appropriated under paragraph shall remain available through fiscal year 2012.
Here is the bill that is going to fund all this technology and it is proposed by Kennedy, Clinton, Hatch and Obama. I am sorry but I do not want to support in any way, shape or form the implementation of the VeriChip. Why should our tax dollars go to some corporation or entity created by big government?
I am going to finish with a definition of "Biosurveillance."
Understanding Biosurveillance
The term"biosurveillance" describes the monitoring of a population for changes against a standard or norm.
The Need For Consolidated Public Safety Data
In addition to local biosurveillance needs, the CDC, Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security have implemented steps to begin monitoring regional and consolidate biosurveillance data and trends in order to be able to see the "big picture" in real or near real time. This means that Public Safety data should be monitored on the local level, AND the data should be sent to a centralized repository for aggregation into larger geographic areas in order to detect a multi-site concurrent attack. http://www.stoutsolutions.com/mediacontent/FirstWatchUpClose_1314.pdf??Trust
So now you have the full picture of what this technology has the potential to do. You get the chip in your arm or hand and someone from Homeland Security announces a situation detrimental to the Public Safety everyone may be forced to be scanned. What if that public safety is a group of people who have a different opinion to what freedom is? They could be termed detrimental to the Public Safety under the Patriot Act.
There you have it. You have the database setup, the VeriChip, the appropriations for this technology and you have what they are really going to use it for CONTROL OF THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND POSSIBLY THE WORLD.
That is my opinion. Sorry for the caps and bold but that is how I feel.
Stop these bills by calling your legislators today.
TO FIND YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN
Find your Senators=> www.Senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Find your Congressmen=> www.House.gov/writerep
Find your Congressmen & Senators=> www.MoralLaw.org/delegation.htm
Find your Newspapers=> www.TownHall.com/action/write_media.html/
Find Local Talk-Radio=> www.Radio-Locator.com
© Cynthia A. Janak
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
