Will The Hippocratic Oath Get Amended To `First, Check On The MedFICO, Then Do No Harm?'

MayorBob.

Posted to Business on Sat Jan 19, 2008 at 08:43:36 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

There's more to modern medicine than curing the ill.  There's also paying the bills.  But, what's the best way to ensure doctors and hospitals get paid for their services?  This is a question which the health care industry has been working on, in concert with those wonderful people who bring you your credit ratings.  The question is being worked out now and will soon be available as a rating system known as MedFICO.  The issue is, will MedFICO be used to determine what sorts of assistance patients - who can't pay for services - will need, or will it be used to decide what level of service will be provided?

(15 comments, 600 words in story) Full Story

Your Right To Your Privacy Info Ends At A Government File

MayorBob.

Posted to Legal on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:39:54 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.

"This is frightening.  You know, a Social Security number is really the fingerprint to somebody's identification." - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler

When Attorney General Gansler found his Social Security account number was posted on a web site maintained by the state he works for, he reacted with horror and shock.  Perhaps he shouldn't have been so shocked.  After all, it turns out that Gansler is hardly alone.  In fact, millions of his fellow citizens' "fingerprint accounts" are out there, openly posted on the internet -- most of them located on government web sites.

(7 comments, 563 words in story) Full Story

The Red Cross needs your money, blood, and... social security number.

pO157.

Posted to Legal on Tue Dec 12, 2006 at 05:55:49 AM EST (promoted by Acefantastik). RSS.

The American Red Cross relies on a staff of 96% volunteer labor to get the job done every day. However, new requirements implemented on volunteers have raised some questions about their intrusiveness and scope. In short, the Red Cross is now requiring all volunteers to submit to an internet based background check in order to continue to help others in times of need.

(2 comments, 733 words in story) Full Story