Minnesota - July 5, 2011 deadline | Photos of June 28th's Health Data Hearing

June 28, 2011

Today, we surprised the MN Dept of Health. 

At least 16 citizens came into a little basement hearing room in downtown St. Paul to protest to a virtually unpublicized Minnesota Department of Health hearing related to implementing a state health information system in Minnesota. (see attached photo)  Other department folks, lobbyists and proponents were already there.

DEADLINE: Read below and know that you have 5 more days to comments (July 5 deadline - extended if a shutdown): health.hie.certification@state.mn.us  FMI, click here.

STATE DATA SYSTEM - The hearing was on the application from Emdeon to become a "Health Data Intermediary" (HDI) in Minnesota. As a HDI, Emdeon would act as the interchange for the sharing of private electronic medical records data. Emdeon would create a central database of clinical patient data which they would build as they conducted the data exchanges between payers (employers/health plans/government) and providers (doctors, x-ray facilitites, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, pharmaceutical benefit managers, long-term care, community clinics, etc.).

They congratulated Minnesota on its progressive nature, saying Minnesota will likely be one of their initial clients.

CCHF COMMENTS - During public comment, I told the Department that I couldn't find the hearing online even though I knew what I was looking for. I said Emdeon is only a half-baked business model. They're still building it but the Department is considering them anyway. I said they may become a monopoly (only those approved by MDH get to be in MN).I talked about the Record Locator Service (which we opposed in 2007) and Emdeon's lack of details on the opt-out. 

COSTS COULD BE HUGE - I also said that the costs are completely unclear. Is it per click or per month or per year, and who decides who pays for the exchange of data? The doctor who receives it, the health plan who sends it, the pharmacy who receives the prescription sent by the doctor or the doctor who sent it. Is there duplication of payment?

CITIZEN COMMENTS: Half of the citizens there as a result of CCHF's notice went to the microphone and spoke out about the costs, the data, the lack of consent, the privacy issues, and the potential errors within the data being shared. Their comments were great. 

For instance, Carolyn Krinkie asked, "Are the people of Minnesota informed about this. This is a democracy. I think people should be informed."  Margaret Minegar asked Emdeon to discuss their stance on universal coverage, but the committee stopped them from answering. They did say that whether there's one paer or a thousand payers," they could still do transactions. Martin Kellogg said, "If government is going down a bad road, there will always be businesses willing to assist." People laughed aloud around the room.

To protest the establishment of a state health information system, please comment by end of day on July 5 against the application of Emdeon.

Twila Brase RN, PHN

President

Citizens' Council for Health Freedom

1954 University Ave. W, Ste. 8

St. Paul, MN 55104

www.healthcarefreedom.us
651-646-8935

PHOTOS:

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Part of the citizens group after it was over -- in front of MDH office.

Maggy speaks

Emdeon presentation to HIE Advisory Committee

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