July 24th, 1998
WASHINGTON, DC – Less than a week after Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) introduced legislation to stop the federal government from creating a national ‘medical ID’ and database to track the details of Americans private lives, the leadership of the House has allowed similar language to be added to the Patient Protection Act , expected to be voted upon today. On Tuesday, Rep. Paul introduced the Patient Privacy Act .
“I’m pleased that the Congress has recognized this to be such a major issue that it will get discussion on the House floor today as part of the Patient Protection Act,” Rep. Paul said this morning after learning of the decision. A physician for more than 30 years, Paul said he is not “overly excited” by the package being voted on Friday, but said privacy is a critical issue.
“The overall legislation – the Patient Protection Act – will end up only protecting HMOs and lawyers, and will actually weaken the provisions passed into law by the Texas legislature protecting patient rights in my state,” said Dr. Paul.
“It is important, though, that the Administration understands that we oppose the establishment of this medical ID and the striping of privacy it embodies. Congress, and indeed the federal government, must be in the business of promoting liberty and protecting privacy, not limiting liberty and giving prying eyes easy access to our private lives.”
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the federal government was given the authorization to establish a database which would include the intimate details of individuals’ medical histories, including a “unique medical identifier.”
Such a database system could have a chilling effect on treatment for life-threatening conditions.
“As a physician, I know that effective treatment depends upon a patient’s ability to place absolute trust in his or her doctor. But how can there be trust when patients know that any and all information given the doctor will be placed in a database accessible to anyone with the patient’s ‘identifier?’”
Seen as a consistent fighter for constitutionally limited government and civil liberties, Rep. Paul said the medical identification card is a major encroachment on the right to privacy.
“The medical ID would allow federal agents, and possibly every medical professional, hospital, HMO and computer hacker in the country, to access individual records simply by checking an ‘identifier’ with the national database. Think of the numerous cases of IRS abuses that have recently been brought to Congress’ attention, or the history of abuse of FBI files in the Executive Branch, or the recent case of a Medicaid clerk in Maryland who accessed a computerized database and sold patient names to an HMO.”
Paul said neither Congress nor the public should think the issue has been put to rest if Friday’s legislation passes. The Senate is unlikely to take up the over-reaching Patient Protection Act this year for many reasons, but there is a “good chance both chambers of Congress will be willing to address the issue of medical privacy if they hear loud and clear from their constituents that Americans find a national medical ID to be at odds with our American tradition of liberty.”
Rep. Paul also plans on introducing an amendment to the Health and Human Services appropriations bill next week to prohibit funding for the development and implementation of the medical ID program.
Posted in Press Releases | Comments Off
Similar posts:
July 23rd, 1998
WASHINGTON, DC – Calling on the leadership of the US House of Representatives to restore the sacred trust between senior citizens and the US government, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) on Wednesday said a top priority of the US Congress should be repealing President Clinton’s 1993 tax increase on Social Security beneficiaries.
In letters to Speaker of the House Newt Gringrich and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer, Rep. Paul praised the leadership for a renewed emphasis on tax cuts.
“While I agree that there are a number of issues to be addressed in this year’s tax bill, including further reductions in the capitol gains tax and estate taxes, I would like to call your attention to a bill which I introduced this year, HR 2723, ‘The Social Security Beneficiaries Tax Reduction Act,’” wrote Paul in his letters. Because of the claims of budget surpluses, Paul said that “it is high time that we ask (the president) to ‘give back’ these taxpayer dollars to the senior citizens who have been forced to bear this burden, in the form of a repeal of this increase.”
Paul said that the rhetoric of “save Social Security first” should be followed through by making sure that Congress takes care of the Social Security beneficiaries immediately by eliminating the taxes levied on their benefits for the last five years.
A big part of the problem, says Paul, is that the President’s budget projects that over the next seven years, nearly $1 trillion will be diverted out of the Social Security Trust Fund in order to finance various big-government programs. In 1998 alone, $104 billion will come from the Trust Fund, with the amount diverted rising to $165 billion by 2005.
“We need to cut taxes and stop raiding from the trust fund, or else the ‘saving Social Security’ rhetoric will be just one more empty political slogan.”
(30)
Posted in Press Releases | Comments Off
Similar posts:
July 23rd, 1998
WASHINGTON, DC – Reflecting the importance the House leadership is giving legislation introduced this week by Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), the House Rules Committee held a hearing Thursday night to consider his proposal to protect the medical privacy of Americans. Legislation introduced on Tuesday of this week by Rep. Paul would repeal a section of the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act which called for the creation of a federal database to essentially consolidate the medical history of every American and develop a national “medical identification” card.
“I’m pleased that the House leadership has recognized that this so-called ‘medical ID’ is a major intrusion by the federal government into the private lives of American citizens,” said Rep. Paul, a physician for more than 30 years. “If the proposed ID goes through, the medical history of all Americans will be accessible to anyone with a grudge, or with malicious or criminal intent.”
Text matching Rep. Paul’s legislation, the Patient Privacy Act (HR 4281), was brought before the Rules Committee as an amendment to the Patient Protection Act , which will be voted upon on Friday. Rep. Gerald Kleczka (D-Wisconsin) is a co-author of the amendment and has worked closely with Rep. Paul on this issue. The Rules Committee had not yet reached a decision on the amendment Thursday evening, but it is likely the medical ID issue will be brought up during floor debate on Friday.
Seen as a consistent fighter for constitutionally limited government and civil liberties, Rep. Paul said the medical identification card is a major encroachment on the right to privacy.
“The medical ID would allow federal bureaucrats, and possibly every medical professional, hospital, and HMO in the country, to access an individual’s record simply by entering the ‘identifier’ into a national database. I’ve asked my colleagues how comfortable they would be confiding an emotional problem – or even an embarrassing physical problem like impotence – to their doctor if they knew that this information could be easily accessed by a political foe, HMOs, and even government agents. Think of the numerous cases of IRS abuses that have recently been brought to Congress’ attention, or the history of abuse of FBI files in the Executive Branch, or even the case of a Medicaid clerk in Maryland who accessed a computerized database and sold patient names to an HMO.”
Such a database system could have a chilling effect on treatment for life-threatening conditions.
“As a physician, I know that effective treatment depends upon a patient’s ability to place absolute trust in his or her doctor. But how can there be trust when patients know that any and all information given the doctor will be placed in a database accessible to anyone with the patient’s ‘identifier?’”
Paul said Congress must act quickly to protect the privacy of Americans from prying eyes.
Posted in Press Releases | 1 Comment »
Similar posts:
July 21st, 1998
WASHINGTON, DC – In response to Congressional oversight concerns, the chairman of the Federal Reserve Board is required to testify before the House and Senate banking committees twice a year regarding monetary policy, under a 1970s law referred to as “Humphrey-Hawkins.”
The administration and many in Congress argue forcefully of the importance of international monetary policy, as well.
“With the billions of dollars, and the economic health of the nation at stake, Congress should take seriously oversight of the US investment in the International Monetary Fund at all times, not just when the international body is considering a proposed Fund expansion,” said US Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), announcing legislation to require the IMF’s US executive director to make appearances before the House and Senate banking committees twice a year.
“Congress should no longer shirk its oversight responsibilities of how taxpayer dollars are being expended, ” said Rep. Paul. “It is not unreasonable to ask that the U. S. executive director at the IMF testify before the House and Senate banking committees twice a year, just as the chairman of the Federal Reserve Board is required to do under the law.”
Paul’s legilsation, which will be introduced within the next several legislative days, will implement this oversight function. Further, the legislation would require the executive director to testify to the director’s compliance with congressional “voice and vote” directives. Finally, it will require the executive director to make a report of the financial gains and losses of the United States resulting from participation in the IMF.
Posted in Press Releases | 1 Comment »
Similar posts:
July 21st, 1998
WASHINGTON, DC – Saying that Americans have the right to privacy in the medical lives, free of fear from prying eyes in the government, US Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) on Tuesday introduced the Patient Privacy Act (H.R. 4281) to stop a proposed “medical national ID.” US Rep. Bob Stump (R-Arizona) is as an original cosponsor of the legislation
The proposed ID program arises from the 1996 “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.” The ’96 law calls for the creation of a “standard unique health care identifier” for all Americans. This identifier would create a national database containing the medical history of all Americans.
Rep. Paul, a physician, said the program creates a uniquely horrifying prospect for future privacy losses.
“Suddenly, the medical history of all Americans will be accessible to anyone with a grudge, or with mischievous or criminal intent. It would allow federal bureaucrats and possibly every medical professional, hospital, and HMO in the country to access an individual’s record simply by entering the ‘identifier’ into a national database,” said Paul. “I ask my colleagues, how comfortable would you be confiding any emotional problem – or even an embarrassing physical problem like impotence – to your doctor if you knew that this information could be easily accessed by friend, political foe, possible employers, coworkers, HMOs, and even government agents ?”
Such a system could have a chilling effect on people’s desire to get treatment for potentially life-threatening conditions.
“As a physician, I know well that oftentimes effective treatment depends on a patient’s ability to place absolute trust in his or her doctor. But how can there be trust when patients know that any and all information given the doctor will be placed in a database accessible to anyone with the patient’s ‘identifier?’”
Despite assurances from the medical ID proponents, Paul said that nothing could possibly be done to alleviate the potential abuses of the system.
“History has shown that attempts to protect the privacy of information collected by the government are ineffective at protecting citizens from the prying eyes of government officials. Think of the numerous cases of IRS abuses that have recently been brought to Congress’ attention, or the history of abuse of FBI files in the Executive Branch, or even the case of a Medicaid clerk in Maryland who accessed a computerized database and sold patient names to an HMO.”
Paul said Congress must act quickly to protect the rights of Americans from prying eyes.
“The federal government has no authority to endanger the privacy of personal medical information by forcing all citizens to adopt a uniform health identifier for use in a national data base. A uniform health ID endangers constitutional liberties, threatens doctor-patient relationships, and opens the door to federal officials accessing to deeply personal medical information for political purposes,” said Paul. “There can be no justification for risking the rights of private citizens.”
Posted in Press Releases | Comments Off
Similar posts:
July 21st, 1998
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Patient Privacy Act, which repeals those sections of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 authorizing the establishment of a “standard unique health care identifier” for all Americans. This identifier would then be used to create a national database containing the medical history of all Americans. Establishment of such an identifier would allow federal bureaucrats to track every citizen’s medical history from cradle to grave. Furthermore, it is possible that every medical professional, hospital, and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in the country would be able to access an individual citizens’ record simply by entering the patient’s identifier into the national database.
As an OB/GYN with more than 30 years experience in private practice, I know better than most the importance of preserving the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship. Oftentimes, effective treatment depends on a patient’s ability to place absolute trust in his or her doctor. What will happen to that trust when patients know that any and all information given their doctor will be placed in a data base accessible by anyone who knows the patient’s “unique personal identifier?”
I ask my colleagues, how comfortable would you be confiding any emotional problem, or even an embarrassing physical problem like impotence, to your doctor if you knew that this information could be easily accessed by friend, foe, possible employers, coworkers, HMOs, and government agents?
Mr. Speaker, the Clinton administration has even come out in favor of allowing law enforcement officials access to health care information, in complete disregard of the fifth amendment. It is bitterly ironic that the same administration that has proven so inventive at protecting its privacy has so little respect for physician-patient confidentiality.
Many of my colleagues will admit that the American people have good reason to fear a government-mandated health ID card, but they will claim such problems can be “fixed” by additional legislation restricting the use of the identifier and forbidding all but certain designated persons to access those records.
This argument has two flaws. First of all, history has shown that attempts to protect the privacy of information collected by, or at the command, of the government are ineffective at protecting citizens from the prying eyes of government officials. I ask my colleagues to think of the numerous cases of IRS abuses that were brought to our attention in the past few months, the history of abuse of FBI files, and the case of a Medicaid clerk in Maryland who accessed a computerized database and sold patient names to an HMO. These are just some of many examples that show that the only effective way to protect privacy is to forbid the government from assigning a unique number to any citizen.
The second, and most important reason, legislation “protecting” the unique health identifier is insufficient is that the federal government lacks any constitutional authority to force citizens to adopt a universal health identifier, regardless of any attached “privacy protections.” Any federal action that oversteps constitutional limitations violates liberty for it ratifies the principle that the federal government, not the Constitution, is the ultimate arbitrator of its own jurisdiction over the people. The only effective protection of the rights of citizens is for Congress and the American people to follow Thomas Jefferson’s advice and “bind (the federal government) down with the chains of the Constitution.”
For those who claim that the Patient Privacy Act would interfere with the plans to “simplify” and “streamline” the health care system, under the Constitution, the rights of people should never take a backseat to the convenience of the government or politically powerful industries like HMOs.
Mr. Speaker, the federal government has no authority to endanger the privacy of personal medical information by forcing all citizens to adopt a uniform health identifier for use in a national data base. A uniform health ID endangers the constitutional liberties, threatens the doctor-patient relationships, and could allow federal officials access to deeply personal medical information. There can be no justification for risking the rights of private citizens. I therefore urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Patient Privacy Act.
Posted in Speeches and Statements | Comments Off
Similar posts:
July 20th, 1998
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the Asian financial crisis and adverse weather conditions exacting a heavy toll on American farmers and ranchers, US Rep. Ron Paul, along with Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Smith (R-OR), and other Members of Congress from farm states have announced the introduction of the Emergency Farm Financial Relief Act .
The legislation, authored by Mr. Smith and cosponsored by Dr. Paul, would allow farmers the option of receiving all of the Agriculture Market Transition Act (AMTA) contract payments for FY1999 immediately after the beginning of the fiscal year. Annual payments can now be made twice a year, in December or January and again in September.
The bill would make $5.5 billion available as much as one year early to help farmers cope with the cash shortage they are now experiencing due to low prices and drought. The bill leaves the option of early payments with the farmer who can then make the decision on the basis of personal circumstances.
Because all the 1999 AMTA payments occur within the same fiscal year, there is no additional cost or appropriation to this proposal; it merely allows for speedier access to the already-appropriated funds. The bill allows Congress to address the current farm cash shortage immediately without incurring any additional budget cost while giving farmers the flexibility to adjust to their individual circumstances.
“Many farmers in the 14 th District and around the nation are facing financial ruin,” said Rep. Paul. “While we prepare for the future by opening global markets to our producers, we can’t ignore the present difficulties in the agricultural community.”
Besides cosponsoring this legislation, Rep. Paul has also been making contact with the administration, asking that they quickly move forward with Gov. George Bush’s request for an emergency declaration as it relates to agriculture.
“Texas farmers and ranchers are straddled with high taxes, under the premise that when bad times come those taxes will be used to help them. The federal government must live up to those promises,” said Paul.
The current situation also points to the need for more broad-based reforms, including the opening of markets currently closed to American farmers, as well as changes in tax policy. Rep. Paul is strongly pushing legislation to allow tax-related income averaging. This process allows those in agriculture to pay taxes on a yearly average rather than being taxed at such a high rate in a good year when they are only making up for the losses of several bad years.
Posted in Press Releases | Comments Off
Similar posts:
July 17th, 1998
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, when we go on the August break I will attend a number of events back in my district and one which I will be very proud to attend will be the Matagorda County 100 Club Awards banquet. This group provides assistance to the families of law enforcement personnel who are slain on the job.
I can think of no better example of how people can freely work together to provide assistance to those who are in need, and who are most deserving of the help of their neighbors. Officers slain in duty give their lives to protect the liberties of the citizens. Our Nation has a strong tradition of local law enforcement, a tradition which would fail without the courage and willingness of men and women to put their lives on the line by working as state and local law enforcement agents.
Once again, Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to commend the 100 Clubs and the brave men and women who serve as local law enforcement agents.
Posted in Speeches and Statements | Comments Off
Similar posts:
July 17th, 1998
WASHINGTON, DC – Following through with his perfect record of having never voted for a congressional pay raise, US Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) on Thursday once again voted against an increase in the salary of Members of Congress.
“I have never and will never vote to increase Congress’ pay; it’s shameful that Congress seems to think that they should be raising their own pay at the same time the American people see their taxes increasing, federal spending going up, and the national debt getting larger,” said Rep. Paul. “Many Members of Congress say they spend so much time in D.C. that they need more money. I say that not only does Congress not need a pay raise, we need to return to the Constitution, limit what the federal government has its fingers in, cut the time Congress spends in session, and cut the pay congressmen receive.”
It is sad, said Paul, that at the same time Congress is attempting to increase its own pay, it has been examining ways to reduce the benefits paid to veterans and senior citizens.
Not only has Rep. Paul refused to ever vote for a congressional pay raise, but he is also one of the few representatives to turn down the lucrative pension Congress gives itself.
“Between the ability to increase pay at their whim and the juicy pension package they give themselves, it is no wonder so few Members of Congress ever leave their office and return to the private sector,” said Rep. Paul. “How many Americans can, without thought, grant themselves a pay raise? How many Americans can take part in a pension which pays out the huge sums the congressional pension does? None, because Congress can simply increase taxes to pay the bill. Even the wealthiest of business owners have to answer to the bottom-line profitability of their company; Congress has no such accountability.”
Posted in Press Releases | Comments Off
Similar posts:
July 15th, 1998
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Freedom and Privacy Restoration Act, which repeals those sections of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 authorizing the establishment of federal standards for birth certificates and drivers’ licenses. This obscure provision, which was part of a major piece of legislation passed at the end of the 104th Congress, represents a major power grab by the federal government and a threat to the liberties of every American, for it would transform state drivers’ licenses into national ID cards.
If this scheme is not stopped, no American will be able to get a job; open a bank account; apply for Social Security or Medicare; exercise their Second Amendment rights; or even take an airplane flight unless they can produce a state drivers’ license, or its equivalent, that conforms to federal specifications. Under the 1996 Kennedy-Kassebaum health care reform law, Americans may even be forced to present a federally-approved drivers’ license before consulting their physicians for medical treatment!
Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government has no constitutional authority to require Americans to present any form of identification before engaging in any private transaction such as opening a bank account, seeing a doctor, or seeking employment.
The establishment of a national standard for drivers’ licenses and birth certificates makes a mockery of the 10th amendment and the principles of federalism. While no state is forced to conform their birth certificates or drivers’ licenses to federal standards, it is unlikely they will not comply when failure to conform to federal specifications means none of that state’s residents may get a job, receive Social Security, or even leave the state by plane? Thus, rather than imposing a direct mandate on the states, the federal government is blackmailing states into complying with federal dictates.
Of course, the most important reason to support the Freedom and Privacy Restoration Act is because any uniform, national system of identification would allow the federal government to inappropriately monitor the movements and transactions of every citizen. History shows that when government gains the power to monitor the actions of the people, it eventually uses that power to impose totalitarian controls on the populace.
I ask my colleagues what would the founders of this country say if they knew the limited federal government they bequeathed to America would soon have the power to demand that all Americans obtain a federally-approved ID?
If the disapproval of the Founders is not sufficient to cause my colleagues to support this legislation, then perhaps they should consider the reaction of the American people when they discover that they must produce a federally-approved ID in order to get a job or open a bank account. Already many offices are being flooded with complaints about the movement toward a national ID card. If this scheme is not halted, Congress and the entire political establishment could drown in the backlash from the American people.
National ID cards are a trademark of totalitarianism and are thus incompatible with a free society. In order to preserve some semblance of American liberty and republican government I am proud to introduce the Freedom and Privacy Restoration Act. I thank Congressman BARR for joining me in cosponsoring this legislation. I urge my colleagues to stand up for the rights of American people by cosponsoring the Freedom and Privacy Restoration Act.
Posted in Speeches and Statements | Comments Off
Similar posts: