Tennessee A.G. uses private medical records in Republican campaign against trans people

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Tennysee's Attorney General, Jonathan Skrmetti has been using his office to acquire the medical records of trans gender people from the Vanderbuilt Medical University Clinic, that is a center for evalution and treatment of those people. The VMUC has been turning over said records for months now, and doing so without notifying patients until after they've done so. The A.G. has also taken information on people who volunteer at this clinic, and on anyone who has written in with a question on LGBTQ healthcare issues using a web site that the clinic set up to field such queries.

What are your thoughts on the issues of:

• Privacy -- is this right or wrong? Does the government have an absolute right to your medical records just because it wants them?
• Is the Republican Party, in fact, just waging a war against an already-vulnerable group for purely political purposes?
• Where are the "ethical" Republicans, who should be standing up and shouting from the rooftops about how this is a betrayal of Republican principles? Or don't they actually believe what they preach so piously?
• Or any other thoughts you might have on the issue.

 

[SomeRandom]

My thoughts?
That’s disgusting!!
And that’s putting it politely

 

[Ella S.]

This escalation seems to be showing no signs of stopping or slowing down to me.

What can even be done at this point except learn a foreign language in preparation to leave the country as soon as mainstream media starts prominently platforming debates on euthanasia?

 

[Father Heathen]

"...just like the democrats!"

 

[fantome profane]

There are no words to express how wrong this is. We are never more vulnerable than when we seek out medical care. The patient exposes themselves to the medical professional body and soul, revealing details that they might not feel comfortable revealing to any one else, and they do that because they need help.

If the government can just grab those records and use them as they please, use the patients records to dehumanize the patient, to take away their rights then how can anyone trust the medical community?

I would point out that this garbage could never pass a legal challenge, but it doesn't matter, it is already done. And it was done before the patients even knew it was happening.

I challenge anyone who supports this to tell me they want the government to have their medical records. Tell me you want Joe Biden to know what you talk with your doctor about. Go ahead.

This is going to destroy people's lives, and all just to get the bigot vote.

 

[fantome profane]

"...just like the democrats!"

What are you doing? Are you filling in for the guy who usually does that? Is he on vacation or something?

 

[Windwalker]

Wow. What's next? Rounding them up and putting them into concentration camps and then gassing them?

 

[Heyo]

Privacy -- is this right or wrong? Does the government have an absolute right to your medical records just because it wants them?

If this wouldn't land him in prison, it would at least end his career in any country of the EU.

And that is relevant as the EU and US have just signed a new data transfer pact. The pact is already challenged in court and this case may become evidence that the US can't be trusted with personal data.
EU seals new US data transfer pact, but challenge likely

 

[Father Heathen]

What are you doing? Are you filling in for the guy who usually does that? Is he on vacation or something?

I was just beating them to the predictable punch.

 

[wellwisher]

Tennysee's Attorney General, Jonathan Skrmetti has been using his office to acquire the medical records of trans gender people from the Vanderbuilt Medical University Clinic, that is a center for evalution and treatment of those people. The VMUC has been turning over said records for months now, and doing so without notifying patients until after they've done so. The A.G. has also taken information on people who volunteer at this clinic, and on anyone who has written in with a question on LGBTQ healthcare issues using a web site that the clinic set up to field such queries.

What are your thoughts on the issues of:

• Privacy -- is this right or wrong? Does the government have an absolute right to your medical records just because it wants them?
• Is the Republican Party, in fact, just waging a war against an already-vulnerable group for purely political purposes?
• Where are the "ethical" Republicans, who should be standing up and shouting from the rooftops about how this is a betrayal of Republican principles? Or don't they actually believe what they preach so piously?
• Or any other thoughts you might have on the issue.

If may be the only way concerned parents can get information about their children, that the Democrat party has brainwashed and kidnapped in Public Schools. The teachers condition the children behind their backs and then call the parents domestic terrorists if they complain. Under such conditions, is it OK for the parents to see these hidden records, if the parents are supporting these underage children? Or does the Democrats Party own their children and are entitled to donations from Big Med and Pharm to supply them free lab rats to practice on?

 

[Guitar's Cry]

If may be the only way concerned parents can get information about their children, that the Democrat party has brainwashed and kidnapped in Public Schools. The teachers condition the children behind their backs and then call the parents domestic terrorists if they complain. Under such conditions, is it OK for the parents to see these hidden records, if the parents are supporting these underage children? Or does the Democrats Party own their children and are entitled to donations from Big Med and Pharm to supply them free lab rats to practice on?

That's a leap! The AG doesn't appear to be doing this to provide parents with information about their children.

"Now, his office is investigating VUMC for potentially getting around the state insurance plan’s limitations on gender-affirming care."

'I'm definitely feeling scared': Transgender patients want answers after Tennessee's AG obtained their medical records

Transgender patients at one of the few clinics in Tennessee offering gender-affirming care received a worrying email this week: unredacted copies of their medical information have been turned over to the state’s Attorney General.

wpln.org

 

[Callisto]

According to the Associated Press, the records were accessed due to an investigation of a doctor who indicated she was engaging in medical billing code fraud pertaining to transgender care coverage (excerpts):

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s top legal chief said Wednesday that Vanderbilt University Medical Center turning over medical records for transgender patients is part of a “run-of-the-mill fraud investigation” and argued that his office purposefully kept the probe private to avoid a “media circus.”​

​

“We understand patients are concerned that VUMC produced their records to this office, especially when those patients received abrupt notice without any context,” Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office said in a statement. “To reiterate, this investigation is directed solely at VUMC and related providers and not at patients or their families.” ...​

​

[T]he attorney general’s office said it was surprised that Vanderbilt University Medical Center informed patients about releasing the records. Skrmetti’s office added that they chose to investigate after being tipped off in the summer of 2022 “that a VUMC doctor publicly described her manipulation of medical billing codes to evade coverage limitations on gender-related treatment.”​

​

“The Attorney General has no desire to turn a run-of-the-mill fraud investigation into a media circus,” the office said in its statement. ...​

​

It’s unclear if the incident that prompted the attorney general investigation is related to videos that surfaced last September by conservative commentator Matt Walsh. Those videos included footage of a medical center doctor touting that gender-affirming procedures are “huge money makers” for hospitals.​

​

Vanderbilt paused all gender-affirming surgeries for minors afterward, while Republican Gov. Bill Lee and others demanded an investigation was necessary — though to date, no law enforcement has confirmed those videos led to one.​

 

[Father Heathen]

If may be the only way concerned parents can get information about their children, that the Democrat party has brainwashed and kidnapped in Public Schools. The teachers condition the children behind their backs and then call the parents domestic terrorists if they complain. Under such conditions, is it OK for the parents to see these hidden records, if the parents are supporting these underage children? Or does the Democrats Party own their children and are entitled to donations from Big Med and Pharm to supply them free lab rats to practice on?

 

[Heyo]

According to the Associated Press, the records were accessed due to an investigation of a doctor who indicated she was engaging in medical billing code fraud pertaining to transgender care coverage (excerpts):

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s top legal chief said Wednesday that Vanderbilt University Medical Center turning over medical records for transgender patients is part of a “run-of-the-mill fraud investigation” and argued that his office purposefully kept the probe private to avoid a “media circus.”​

​

Sounds like a weak excuse. For a fraud investigation anonymous transaction data or maximally anonymised patient data would have sufficed.

 

[metis]

Today's MAGA Republican Party, which is still under Trump's thumb, has basically become a platform for neo-fascism that's determined to undermine our representative democracy. Now it is also undermining even our "rule of law" with the continued assault on the FBI and CIA, including some of them saying they both should be defunded.

IOW, it has basically become a neo-fascist Trump-led cult, which I believe is the single greatest threat that the U.S. now faces.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

If this wouldn't land him in prison, it would at least end his career in any country of the EU.

And that is relevant as the EU and US have just signed a new data transfer pact. The pact is already challenged in court and this case may become evidence that the US can't be trusted with personal data.
EU seals new US data transfer pact, but challenge likely

It would end his career (at least) in Canada, as well.

 

[Viker]

Tennysee's Attorney General, Jonathan Skrmetti has been using his office to acquire the medical records of trans gender people from the Vanderbuilt Medical University Clinic, that is a center for evalution and treatment of those people. The VMUC has been turning over said records for months now, and doing so without notifying patients until after they've done so. The A.G. has also taken information on people who volunteer at this clinic, and on anyone who has written in with a question on LGBTQ healthcare issues using a web site that the clinic set up to field such queries.

What are your thoughts on the issues of:

• Privacy -- is this right or wrong? Does the government have an absolute right to your medical records just because it wants them?
• Is the Republican Party, in fact, just waging a war against an already-vulnerable group for purely political purposes?
• Where are the "ethical" Republicans, who should be standing up and shouting from the rooftops about how this is a betrayal of Republican principles? Or don't they actually believe what they preach so piously?
• Or any other thoughts you might have on the issue.

Blood's boiling. Maybe I will come back later.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

If may be the only way concerned parents can get information about their children, that the Democrat party has brainwashed and kidnapped in Public Schools. The teachers condition the children behind their backs and then call the parents domestic terrorists if they complain. Under such conditions, is it OK for the parents to see these hidden records, if the parents are supporting these underage children? Or does the Democrats Party own their children and are entitled to donations from Big Med and Pharm to supply them free lab rats to practice on?

Wow, how far you went with your conspiracy theorizing this time! The Democratic Party (the party itself) is brainwashing and kidnapping children from public schools? Where does it keep them? Is there some hidden room under the House? Sheesh!

According to the Associated Press, the records were accessed due to an investigation of a doctor who indicated she was engaging in medical billing code fraud pertaining to transgender care coverage (excerpts):

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s top legal chief said Wednesday that Vanderbilt University Medical Center turning over medical records for transgender patients is part of a “run-of-the-mill fraud investigation” and argued that his office purposefully kept the probe private to avoid a “media circus.”​

​

“We understand patients are concerned that VUMC produced their records to this office, especially when those patients received abrupt notice without any context,” Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office said in a statement. “To reiterate, this investigation is directed solely at VUMC and related providers and not at patients or their families.” ...​

​

[T]he attorney general’s office said it was surprised that Vanderbilt University Medical Center informed patients about releasing the records. Skrmetti’s office added that they chose to investigate after being tipped off in the summer of 2022 “that a VUMC doctor publicly described her manipulation of medical billing codes to evade coverage limitations on gender-related treatment.”​

​

“The Attorney General has no desire to turn a run-of-the-mill fraud investigation into a media circus,” the office said in its statement. ...​

​

It’s unclear if the incident that prompted the attorney general investigation is related to videos that surfaced last September by conservative commentator Matt Walsh. Those videos included footage of a medical center doctor touting that gender-affirming procedures are “huge money makers” for hospitals.​

​

Vanderbilt paused all gender-affirming surgeries for minors afterward, while Republican Gov. Bill Lee and others demanded an investigation was necessary — though to date, no law enforcement has confirmed those videos led to one.​

Privacy laws still don't permit the wanton turning over of unredacted records. The fact that there was some sort of treatment and some sort of billing is all that is required.

 

[We Never Know]

According to the Associated Press, the records were accessed due to an investigation of a doctor who indicated she was engaging in medical billing code fraud pertaining to transgender care coverage (excerpts):

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s top legal chief said Wednesday that Vanderbilt University Medical Center turning over medical records for transgender patients is part of a “run-of-the-mill fraud investigation” and argued that his office purposefully kept the probe private to avoid a “media circus.”​

​

“We understand patients are concerned that VUMC produced their records to this office, especially when those patients received abrupt notice without any context,” Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office said in a statement. “To reiterate, this investigation is directed solely at VUMC and related providers and not at patients or their families.” ...​

​

[T]he attorney general’s office said it was surprised that Vanderbilt University Medical Center informed patients about releasing the records. Skrmetti’s office added that they chose to investigate after being tipped off in the summer of 2022 “that a VUMC doctor publicly described her manipulation of medical billing codes to evade coverage limitations on gender-related treatment.”​

​

“The Attorney General has no desire to turn a run-of-the-mill fraud investigation into a media circus,” the office said in its statement. ...​

​

It’s unclear if the incident that prompted the attorney general investigation is related to videos that surfaced last September by conservative commentator Matt Walsh. Those videos included footage of a medical center doctor touting that gender-affirming procedures are “huge money makers” for hospitals.​

​

Vanderbilt paused all gender-affirming surgeries for minors afterward, while Republican Gov. Bill Lee and others demanded an investigation was necessary — though to date, no law enforcement has confirmed those videos led to one.​

Yeah when someone purposely leaves out links to the story, the full story stays hidden.
Looking for knee jerk reactions to the OP is the goal IMO.

"Vanderbilt University Medical Center has turned over medical records for transgender patients to the Tennessee attorney general's team in what his office confirmed is an investigation into potential medical billing fraud."...

"In a state that has moved to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth, the revelation that their records were handed over to the state spurred fear for some families — despite assurances from the attorney general's office that the records would remain confidential and that patients aren't the target of the investigation."...

Vanderbilt University Medical Center spokesperson John Howser said the attorney general's office requested information about transgender care at VUMC.
The Tennessee Attorney General has legal authority in an investigation to require that VUMC provide complete copies of patient medical records that are relevant to its investigation. VUMC was obligated to comply and did so," Howser said in a statement.

Brandon Smith, the attorney general's chief of staff, told The Tennessean that the office "maintains patient records in the strictest confidence, as required by law" and that the investigation is focused "solely on VUMC and certain related providers, not patients." He said the office has been investigating potential medical billing fraud by the hospital and related providers since September 2022. The hospital began providing patient records to the office in December 2022, Smith said.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center turns over transgender patient records to attorney general

Vanderbilt has turned over medical records for transgender patients to the Tennessee attorney general's team in what his office confirmed is an investigation into potential medical billing fraud.

www.newschannel5.com

 

[Twilight Hue]

Today's MAGA Republican Party, which is still under Trump's thumb, has basically become a platform for neo-fascism that's determined to undermine our representative democracy. Now it is also undermining even our "rule of law" with the continued assault on the FBI and CIA, including some of them saying they both should be defunded.

IOW, it has basically become a neo-fascist Trump-led cult, which I believe is the single greatest threat that the U.S. now faces.

Additionally, another huge threat is the political party solely responsible for the governance of the most oppressive and least free states in the entire nation.