Do you want Minnesota's government to make your medical decisions?
Yes or no?
They've decided "yes."
Now you have an opportunity to tell them "NO."
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EXPLANATION FOR PETITION:
Legislators intend to make PERMANENT the law that last year's citizen
petitions forced them to make temporary. If this bill passes, GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS WILL:
* identify medical practices they think all doctors should follow
* monitor and report adherence to these treatment directives using access to
private patient medical record information.
* provide bonuses to doctors who cooperate with these government-issued
treatment directives.
* plan for a statewide electronic medical record system to track physician
compliance with treatment directives.
Send CCHC your petition if you want medical decision-making to be between
you and your doctor!
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CITIZEN PETITION to 2005 MN Legislature
OPPOSING PLANS TO MAKE GOVERNMENT-DIRECTED HEALTH CARE
PERMANENT LAW IN MINNESOTA
I, the undersigned citizen, oppose government-directed
health care initiatives as found in HF1422, HF1861, SF 65, SF1641 and SF1796
- including the plan to repeal the expiration date of last year's
controversial "best practices" law - because they will empower Minnesota
state government to:
RATION MEDICAL TREATMENT: Government must not become
the final word on what constitutes "approved" or "evidence-based" medical
care. Legislators must not force doctors to practice so-called
"evidence-based medicine" as determined by HMOs and government officials. As
Princeton's Uwe Reinhardt, Ph.D., says, "EBM is the sine qua non of
managed care, the whole foundation of it
COERCE AND INTIMIDATE DOCTORS: Government must not be
allowed to work together with health plans to track and monitor
practitioners, and publicly report physician or health plan adherence to
government-approved medical practices. These methods will infringe on
patient rights and professional autonomy - and they are inconsistent with a
free society.
VIOLATE PRIVACY RIGHTS: Government must not build
statewide electronic medical record systems to facilitate government
tracking and reporting of patient care-and physician adherence to
government-approved treatment protocols. Patients have a right to keep their
private medical records free from government inspection, assessment, or
collection.
CREATE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Government must not be
authorized to provide "performance-based" bonuses and financial incentives
to those who conform to government-approved treatment directives. Such
tactics threaten the patient-doctor relationship, violate the private
contract between patient and doctor, create hidden conflicts of interest,
and encourage breach of medical ethics.
RESTRICT INNOVATIVE TREATMENT: Government must not be
authorized to direct the treatment of patients. Standardization of medical
practice according to government-approved treatment protocols will
discourage doctors from thinking "outside the box," or providing the
innovative and individualized patient care their patients need.
Please deliver this signed Citizen petition
to Governor Pawlenty and legislative leadership.
Signature________________________________________Date____________________
Name (PLEASE PRINT)
_____________________________________________________
___I am also a Healthcare Professional (type):__________________________________
Address____________________________City___________State____Zip___________
Phone___________________________ Email
_________________________________
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Citizens' Council on Health Care
1954 University Ave. W, Ste. 8
St. Paul, MN 55104
651-646-8935 ph
651-646-0100 fx