First of all, the Declaration of Independence states that People have God-given rights. The Bill of Rights added to the Constitution as amendments state exactly what those rights are.
So, let’s get this clear. Inalienable rights refer to the rights of the individual, not to any variance based on the “good of the many”.
It matters not what the majority wants or accepts - the rights of the individual remain supreme. Government cannot change this, nor can the majority. Inalienable rights, those rights that must NOT be infringed upon, are the basis for
this Republic.
Well, the government, along with ignorant people such as Shalala, are attempting to take our rights of privacy, amongst others. No one has the need for any medical information concerning myself except for myself, my doctor, and his nursing staff (and it should be limited to their functions).
It is easy to predict what could very well happen. HIPAA’s Administrative Mandate is: If Congress does not act by August 21, 1999 (cut to August 7 by a month long vacation for members of Congress) to protect medical records, then Shalala’s privacy standards and recommendations will, if I understand the mandate, go into effect by February, 2000.
So, our government can merely sit on its laurels, do nothing (which is nothing new for them) and allow her recommendations to stand. In a sense, then, they relieve themselves of
putting into effect unconstitutional regulations which would allow the giving out of private patient information.
The terrible part of this is that we have a woman who does not understand inalienable rights of the individual determining legislation that is not even in the realm of Congress to
do. Our inalienable right of privacy should not be removed by Congress, let alone this woman who apparently has her head the same place as members of Congress.
It is time, Ladies and Gentlemen, to take a stand against those who would change our country from a Republic to a totalitarian government ruled by people who would destroy all rights of the individual. We can start with Shalala and her recommendations which fit right in with the goal of the government to remove our individual rights.
(Note: I thank Scan This News for the quote from Shalala and the dates)