Tim May wrote:

At 2:14 PM -0700 8/28/97, Sean Roach wrote:

...

A lot of people are afraid to tell thier doctors everything that the doctors need to know to do thier jobs because the patients are afraid that, as illegal as it may be, the patients medical history may end up in the hands of insurers, employers, prospective employers, and numerous other people who may want it but shouldn't have it.

I know a psychologist/therapist who is very worried about this issue, as are his associates. His records are no longer his, as he must inform the insurance agencies who are paying for his services what the diagnosis of a patient is. And this diagnosis can be found by all sorts of snoops...

Dear Detective May, My name is Dick Long, and I am a former DEA agent now working for the big bucks in private enterprise. It has come to the attention of my employer, "Your Best Friend Health Insurance, Inc.", that they are paying over $5,000.00 a month for drug rehabilitation therapy for: Mr. C. Punks, WeKnowWhereYouLive Drive, WeKnowEverythingAboutYou, U.S.A. The records of Mr. Punks' psychiatrist and personal physician state that he still uses on occassion, mostly on weekends, at home. If he were to be lawfully arrested and incarcerated for criminal drug use, then my employer would no longer be required to pay for his therapy, and would be very grateful, indeed. How grateful? Check the accompanying envelope. We could be that grateful for every month Mr. Punk is incarcerated. We are not asking you to do anything illegal, only to prioritize your legally sworn duties in a manner which could prove to be very mutually beneficial for both law enforcement and private enterprise. Sincerely, Dick Long <long.dick@rude.ca.ca>