Paul:

You are correct --- from a patient's perspective HIPAA sucks proverbial moose cock (sorry ladies!). Sorry to be so vulgar, but that is my feeling on this matter --- it is rather depressing to me actually.

I remember all too well the stigma that AIDS exacted upon some of my dead friends lives --- HIPAA makes sure that no one will never again have the kind of privacy that even those dead friends enjoyed --- even in their scorn.

Losing 35 people to AIDS was by and far the most difficult spiritual test I have ever faced.

Having that experience does not make me savor the idea of living some of my life by HIPAA contraints --- however --- I still feel compelled to participate in anything that might advace medical technology --- which is why I am working on the current project I am currently involved with.

But you're right --- HIPAA does scare the fuck out of me . . .

KDB = Buffalo, NY USA