Big Brother is now talking to your doctor?

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
Date: August 10, 2004 9:21:30 AM EDT
To: politech () politechbot com
Subject: [Politech] Big Brother is now talking to your doctor? [priv]

--

> From: "Chuck Mauthe" <cmauthe () transcard com>
> To: "'Politech'" <declan () well com>
> Subject: big brother is now talking to your doctor
> Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2004 15:26:44 -0400
>
> original is at
> http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/9345310.htm?1c
>
> Posted on Sun, Aug. 08, 2004
> Fessing up to doctor costs drinker his license
>
> A Lebanon County man admitted that he drank a 6-pack a day. A Pa. law
> required PennDot to be alerted.
>
> By Patrick Kerkstra
> Inquirer Staff Writer
>
> Like most people, Keith Emerich thought he could tell a doctor 
> anything.
>
> So the 44-year-old print-shop pressman answered honestly when asked 
> during
> an office visit whether he drank alcohol. Yes, he said, six to 10 
> Budweisers
> a day.
>
> That candor cost Emerich, of Lebanon, Pa., his driver's license.
>
> In a strict reading of a Pennsylvania law that requires physicians to 
> report
> patients with conditions that might "impair the ability to control and
> safely operate" a vehicle, the doctor notified the Pennsylvania 
> Department
> of Transportation of Emerich's appetite for brew.
>
> With nothing more to go on than two check marks on a one-page 
> questionnaire,
> PennDot revoked Emerich's license indefinitely.
>
> Emerich thought it was a joke when the notice arrived in the mail last 
> April
> Fool's Day. His driving record was pristine since a conviction for 
> driving
> under the influence 23 years ago, and he said he does not mix drinking 
> and
> driving.
>
> "What I do in the privacy of my home is none of PennDot's business," 
> said
> Emerich, who is appealing the agency's decision in Lebanon County 
> Court. A
> ruling is expected within weeks.

...


_______________________________________________
Politech mailing list
Archived at http://www.politechbot.com/
Moderated by Declan McCullagh (http://www.mccullagh.org/)

-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/