mental illness and database mining

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

I sent this letter to some members of congress and wanted to share it with you.

Because of the tragic events in Tucson, mental illness has been thrust to the forefront of the national dialogue, and in general, that is a very good thing. But a word of caution: we must proceed intelligently, not rashly, and protect people like me against database mining.

I'm bipolar and I’m susceptible to database mining. I was diagnosed in 1991, have been seeing a psychiatrist since 1991, and have been taking very expensive medications since 1991. People have no idea that I'm bipolar. When I disclose, they are shocked, because they don't know what mental illness looks like when it's been treated. I had a well paying job for nearly 7 years in finance, working for a Fortune 500 company in downtown Chicago. I was laid-off at the start of 2008. Because of my medical history, I had been a very expensive employee. Now fast forward to 2011. I've been unemployed for 3 years. If employers had access to my medical history, I’ll never work again. Can they find that information now? I have no idea. Do laws protect me? Perhaps in word but in fact, I have no idea. Do I trust employers and insurance companies to abide by laws? No.

I recently took a drug test for a perspective job and had to list the 3 psychotherapeutic medications that I take. I didn't get the job. Did it have to do with my medication? I have no idea. You see, the point is, if my medical history – or medications – are easily accessible, I have no chance of finding employment. What, then, should I do? Go on permanent disability? I can work, and I have worked.

Here’s a question for you: if my medical condition can be found via data base mining, do you think a company will want to know that information? They want to know my credit history. How is that relevant? If my credit history is worth investigating, my medical history is much more valuable. Unscrupulous employers and health insurance providers have a financial incentive to share this information. Another question for you: do you believe this sharing of information is occurring?

[Statistical]

1. A company WOULD mine it if they could.

Any database should be restricted with large civil and criminal penalties for access.

For example the existing NICS system has steep civil and criminal penalties for running checks without permission of person being check and for the sole purpose of purchasing a firearm.

[MineralMan]

2. Companies don't have access to your medical records, but the

health insurance companies they use do. The information gets shared, one way or another.

[TygrBright]

3. Yes, exactly. Thank you.

I've been telling people --good, well-intentioned, progressive people-- who are advocating for greatly increased attention to, and access to treatment for, mental illness in the wake of the tragedy that we must be very careful how we proceed.

I am deeply and personally aware of the disgraceful state of the mental health system in America, and I am a strong advocate for raising awareness, making treatment accessible, and providing resources to families affected by mental illness. But there is a right way (expensive in investment, but paying large long-term dividends in savings) and a wrong way (trying to do it on the cheap and ending up compounding the problem and costing more) to go about it.

In the current climate of "fiscal austerity" which method do you think our esteemed elected representatives are most likely to select?

pessimistically,
Bright

[HereSince1628]

4. Yes, people react to mental illness in ways that are unfairly hurtful

and grossly unfair.

I'd go on to say that costs for medication seem to be based more on what the market will bear than on costs of production and added value.

[Odin2005]

5. Absolutely they are doing it. Trying to get a job with an Asperger's diagnosis is a PITA.

Mainly because so many HR departments are obsessed with the "team player" bullshit.

[Cetacea]

6. The way the dialogue is going

you will not not or already do not have the right to protect your self or your loved ones. You are more violent than people who are not bipolar. This is what the dialogue is.

In your case I would suggest lying about your past. We still live in the dark ages when it comes to this subject despite pride-filled claims to the contrary. I would not let ignorance deprive me of a job.

[elehhhhna]

7. I know for a FACT that one large Houston company's drugtest vendor told them

what meds their candidates reported to be taking. A FACT.

[mdmc]

8. ..

[Gormy Cuss]

9. The primary source is the Medical Information Bureau.

http://patients.about.com/od/yourmedicalrecords/a/mib.htm

Considered by the government to be a consumer reporting agency, its services must adhere to the US Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. For consumer-patients, this means it must follow the same disclosure rules as the credit reporting agencies we are more familiar with. That means you are able to obtain copies of any reports they hold on you, and there is a procedure for disputing errors.
What Information does the MIB Collect?

* Credit information
* Medical conditions
* Medical tests and results
* Habits such as smoking, overeating, gambling, drugs
* Hazardous avocations and hobbies
* Motor vehicle reports (poor driving history and accidents)

And this boys and girls is one of the reason consumers need a strong public option or single payer in addition to PPACA.