Labor's E-Health: RFID and Technocracy

Patients have no choice - a health number ID for us all

By Sue Dunlevy The Daily Telegraph February 17, 2010 12:00AM YOU are going to get a unique 16-digit health ID number on July 1 - whether you want one or not. This is a despite a Rudd Government promise the new "e-health" system would be on an opt-in basis. You can opt not to have a tax file number but a spokeswoman for Health Minister Nicola Roxon yesterday confirmed you will not be able to opt out of the new health identity system. At first the new health ID number will not hold information but eventually the Government wants it as the basis for a new electronic health record. Patients will be able to decide whether they have an e-health record that will give doctors around the country access to information on medical tests, operations and other health information of a patient. This will revolutionise the health system, make it faster and easier for doctors to get test results and improve patient safety by making medication mix-ups less likely. However, there are concerns that future governments may decide to extend the use of the new e-health number beyond its initial purpose. In l987, the Hawke government scrapped a project for a national identity system called the Australia Card after it proved unpopular. Independent Senator Nick Xenophon said the new e-health system had benefits but wanted a Senate inquiry to examine any privacy concerns carefully. "I can see it would be tempting for governments to use it for more than its intended purpose," he said. Ms Roxon said yesterday the ID could only be used for healthcare. Although the new system starts on July 1, bureaucrats running the system yesterday could not say how it would confirm that a person trying to access your health ID number is actually a doctor. Nor can they say how computers will know you gave permission to share health data with others. They confirmed that some people, perhaps celebrities and domestic violence victims, will be able to have pseudonyms attached to their number to hide their identity. And the Government will not send any correspondence telling you your health number either - if you want to know you will have to ring a Medicare office and ask. Most will first become aware of the new number when they visit a doctor or health facility after July 1.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/patients-have-no-choice-a-health-number-id-for-usall/story-e6freuy9-1225831125547 Access date 22 September 2011