NYT/AP: Kansas Court Blocks Abortion Records' Access

[DeepModem Mom]

Kansas Court Blocks Abortion Records' Access
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 3, 2006


TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- The state's highest court on Friday temporarily stopped the state attorney general from looking at records from two abortion clinics, saying such a review could violate patient privacy.

The Kansas Supreme Court ordered a lower court judge to first make sure that Attorney General Phill Kline has the right to see the documents in his investigation of potential violations of state restrictions on abortion and suspected rapes of children.

If Judge Richard Anderson determines Kline does have that right, he must still ensure that the patients' privacy is protected, the court said.

In 2004, Anderson issued subpoenas at Kline's request for the records of clinics operated by Dr. George Tiller in Wichita and Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri in Overland Park, a Kansas City suburb. The records involve 90 women and girls.

The Supreme Court said the subpoenas could infringe on the patients' rights to maintain privacy about personal and sexual matters, to receive confidential health care and to obtain a lawful abortion without an undue governmental burden....


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Abortion-Records.html?hp&ex=1139029200&en=7609e718d3951b36&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Good for them

This is a slippery slope. First they want medical records for abortion-next for diabetes? Drug problems? Will corporations have access to medical files so they can decide if hiring a worker is worth the health costs they might pay? Or even worse, will drug companies have access to files so they can compile a list of people with chronic conditions so they can market the newest drugs to them?

[rodeodance]

2. yes, you are right

[Epiphany4z]

5. this just made me think

I have custody of my nephew. For some reason his birth certificate never made it to the state. While calling columbus to find out what to do they where able to tell me....when he was born, his birth weight, what drugs where in his system, how many prenatal visits my sister had , what drugs she had in her system, and that she left the hospital without the baby, Mind you I called on the phone they had no way of knowing I was who I said I was and jeeze i didn't know they kept track of how many prenatal visits you had....I was left with the feeling that we are way way way behind the issue of privacy.

[Kolesar]

3. Claiming rapes of minors when this is really just harassment of clinics

They busted this story open on PBS "NOW".

[PatsFan2004]

10. BTW, the RWers do this by calling a clinic and pretending to be

a minor in need of an abortion. They quietly mention that they do not want anyone to know that their boyfriend is much older. When the clinic worker promises to keep this confidential, a report is then made to the local police department and health department concerning a possible violation of the law.

[Bozita]

4. Kansas AG is on a mission from God (just like the Blues Bros)

[Beaverhausen]

6. It's only temporary but lets hope it becomes permanent

This is indeed a slippery slope we can't start down.

[xxqqqzme]

7. this will eventually end up B4 the supremes

and guess what the decision will B?

[Judi Lynn]

8. I hope this works. He won't give up, but this could stump him for a while.

From the N.Y.Times article:

Kline said Friday he was pleased with the ruling because he believes the subpoenas will eventually be honored.

He said his office never sought patients' names. ''They are under no criminal liability or investigation. Their privacy will be protected,'' he said.

Kline opposes abortion, and Tiller's clinic has been high-profile target of anti-abortion protesters. The clinic, known for doing late-term procedures, was bombed in 1985, and Tiller was shot in both arms by a protester in 1993.

Peter Brownlie, Planned Parenthood's chief executive officer, said the ruling Friday ''clearly indicates that Attorney General Kline overreached in his effort to get at abortion providers.''
(snip/)

[PatsFan2004]

9. Are not medical professionals and educators required to report

cases of sexual and physical abuse if they have "reasonable" cause? So if a minor had an abortion and her boyfriend is not a minor, does that constitute rape?

[McCamy Taylor]

11. Kansas says all sex under 16 is a "crime". They want CPS on every case.

This means CPS will be so busy investigating evevry 15 year old girl who goes to get birth control so she and her 15 year old boy friend can have sex without having a baby that they wont be able to prevent actual cases of child abuse.

As soon as teenages figure out that their visits to get birth control and to treat STD will trigger a visit from CPS they will stop getting necessary medical care and they will either 1. buy condoms or 2. get pregnant and VD.

Stupid dumb ass Republican elected officials trying to court their base have no business getting involved in public health matters that they do not understand.

[Megahurtz]

16. They have no business getting into anyone's

personal health procedures at all!:grr:

[CornField]

12. The clinic, known for doing late-term procedures... Yup, that would be me

In 1995 when we discovered that our son had terminal neural tube defects, the state of Oklahoma would not allow termination of the pregnancy because we were passed the time limit for abortion in that state (regardless that carrying to term held several health risks for myself, but I digress). We had to drive into Kansas/Missouri and I believe the Overland Park clinic is the one which accepted us. Of course, because of the Oklahoma ruling, our insurance wouldn't cover and we had to pay out of pocket. Understanding our situation and the further risks to me as the pregnancy continued, the clinic allowed us to make payments on the bill. Although I was on IV antibiotics for days and regular antibiotics for a month afterward, I was fortunate because I was alive and because I could still carry another child to term.

You know, when a newspaper reporter takes the time to make such a statement as "known for doing late-term procedures" it would benefit him/her to also do a bit of research as to why.

[DeepModem Mom]

13. They have no idea, or do not care, about the agony...

couples go through when faced with this situation. I know two couples who went through such an experience, with heartbreak and pain. It's shameful that the "Religious" Right has been allowed to define this issue.

[Judi Lynn]

14. That was a completely unnecessary remark by the reporter. Done

to excite the rabble, undoubtedly, to keep them interested in the article. They get so tired trying to pronounce all the words as they read!

Very glad the clinic in O.P. was available. It sounds like a real ordeal, and not taken without deep concern.

Reporters could benefit the entire human community if they DID do their homework, and if they stayed away from pandering to cheap, transitory, ignorant attitudes.

[Megahurtz]

15. Good!

All that inquiry was about was more pro-life whackjobs trying to chip away at Roe vs. Wade.
We can't let them do this. We need to keep on this issue.