thegreekdog wrote:BigBallinStalin wrote:Be that as it may, I don't see how the benefits of collecting and publishing information of particular patients' medical histories justify the costs (taxation/deficit spending, violation of privacy, and the release of easy to access information to groups which shouldn't have such easy access, e.g. 'anti-abortion haters'.)
In recent history, taxation/deficit spending and violation of privacy do not seem to be impediments to collecting and publishing information to either party. Information is released by the government regarding driving records, criminal records, pedophile records, tax records and other financial information, and with respect to terrorists. What are the benefits of releasing these pieces of information and do they outweight the taxation/deficit spending and violations of privacy? So far, the answer is yes.
Sure, these records are justifiable from the state's perspective of streamlining surveillance and compliance and from the perspective of insurance companies and such businesses for providing coverage at appropriate prices, but those are different, and one needs compelling reason to view such information (except for criminal records, pedophile records, and the financial information of publicly listed companies).
In other words, I wouldn't want Joe Schmo having access to such information--just as I wouldn't want Joe Schmo having access to anyone's 'abortion history'. Why would Joe Schmo require access to such information? I ask because the public disclosure of this information entails such a scenario.
If I may be allowed to get on my fear-mongering pulpit, enabling the general public to view abortion histories would reduce the costs of anti-abortionist haters. Since this policy would subsidize the price of hate crimes, harassment, and terrorist tactics, then I am concerned that the American people could experience an unjustified increase in these crimes. If the purpose of government is to protect people and their property, then surely we must reject the public disclosure of abortion histories.
(no wonder politicians and bureaucrats use the Slippery Slope argument to justify their policies).