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I am writing to share my comments regarding the final federal medical privacy rule (Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information). Following are my specific comments on specific sections of the rule:

Sections 164.502 and 164.506: I want to be the one to decide who can have access to my medical information--including my genetic information--for all purposes, including medical treatment, payment and health-care operations. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the medical industry should not be making this decision for me. Also, my consent should be voluntary; I should not be forced to forgo medical treatment because I won't share my medical information with others (other than the doctors or other practitioners to whom I have given consent).

Section 160.310: I strongly object to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or any other governmental agency accessing my medical information without my consent or without a warrant.

Section 164.512: I strongly object to third parties having access to my medical information (including genetic information) without my written, informed, noncoerced consent.

Finally, I urgently request that HHS extend the public comment period to 180 days. Thirty days is not enough time to inform many others about the new public comment period, especially the elderly and low-income persons who might not have access to a computer.

Sincerely,



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[Your Name]