Privacy complaint filed with VA

TAMPA -- A political opponent of U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite has filed a complaint saying that patient confidentiality was breached during an inquiry into the practice of unlicensed psychology at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center.

Jim King said he filed the complaint with a Department of Veterans Affairs "privacy officer" at Haley on Monday. King said he believed staffers for the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations improperly viewed treatment records at Haley without permission from patients.

Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, held a forum at Haley on Dec. 28 to investigate allegations that a group of unlicensed psychologists at the hospital are not adequately supervised. Haley denies the charge.

In preparation for the forum, King said, a staff member of the subcommittee made it clear he had reviewed patient records. Haley's chief of staff said at the forum those records proved unlicensed psychologists are adequately supervised.

A Haley spokeswoman, Carolyn Clark, denied patient privacy was violated, as did a spokesman for Brown-Waite.

"Congress oversees the VA, so we have to be able to view VA records," Brown-Waite spokesman Charlie Keller said today. "It's not as if we were posting them on the Internet or running around making copies to hand out to people."

King, a Land O'Lakes Republican, said, "We have no clue who was in the room when they were reviewing them or what they were discussing. There is no doubt this was a breach of patient confidentiality."

- William R. Levesque, Times staff writer

Comments

[Frank]

There is no doubt that this is an example of "politics as usual" in Washington. No clear answers and side stepping the issue of supervision in this matter. Mrs. Brown-Waite has NO written document stated that she or congress has authorization to view any personal records in the round table meeting. Charlie Keller, spokeperson for Brown-Waite, tries to evade the orginal question with his dumb response. There should have been witnesses, independant of both parties, to protect the rights of patients in question. Where was the HIPA Law in this matter?

[Wing (Retired ARMY VietNam Vet)]

YES I THINKS THEY SHOULD ALL BE CHECK TO SEE WHO WE DO HAVE . QUES. IS HE OR IS HE NOT. IF U CANT TRUST THE GOV. AND CONGRESS THEN WHO THE HELL U SUPOST TO TRUST. AND THANK U JIM KING FOR UR GOOD WORK. WING (RETIRED ARMY vIETNAM VET )

[Jamie]

The VA seems to have no issue with unsupervised unliciensed psychologists and the Congresswoman has no issue following HIPA laws. Looks to me like they have all their bases covered with the one minor issue of actually taking care of, and protecting, our veterans. GREAT JOB VA and CONGRESSWOMAN.

[oldcoot235]

This is outrageous, first they are treating people with unlicensed psychologist, which if something happens the VA can have the drawers sued off of them.......The committee had not one shred of rights to show the findings of unlicensed personell, without any signed permission forms from the clients, I am bipolar, and would have a screaming fit if anyone tried to do that to me, I am totally stable now and no one has the right to look up my diagnosis or any thing related to anything wrong with me. The trouble with the USA is the minority rules the majority anymore as seen by the way congress reacts to things. They fail to adress the issues we face in the future, and the Executive branch is totally out of control.
Maybe I am crazy or just completly out of touch, but somehow i do not think so.........Thanks

[George]

I must say to make statement that the UNLICENSED!!! Psychologists were properly supervised??? By WHO? If LICENSED doctors with the proper credentials were there ( The only ones who could PROPERLY supervise)why were the unlicensed one there and privy to personal information? We ask our soldiers to fight to protect our FREEDOM, then tromp all over theirs.

Disabled US Army VET!

Thank God for Jim King!!!

[Bill Gast]

HIPA laws evidently are for OTHER people to observe, not Brown-Waite and her staff. Uncanny. This is a perfect example of an unprofessional and illegal search for information attempting to justify a point being made by a very inept representative. This fiasco makes one wonder if the good congresswoman ever consults DOJ or her own counsel prior to launching into projects deserving her attention? The sad issue here is that access to the veteran's records is not properly controlled for invasion of privacy. The second issue is if the subject veteran was ever notified that his condition,treatment and response to treatment was being reviewed? These people (veterans in the program) are the last that should be taken advantage of for the sake of making news.The one word in the statement by the Haley chief of Staff, tells it all. FORUM.
"Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, held a forum at Haley on Dec. 28 to investigate allegations that a group of unlicensed psychologists at the hospital are not adequately supervised. Haley denies the charge."
Webster; (for'rum) "a medium in which the public may debate an issue or express opinions, e.g. a magazine or newspaper."
It is fortunate that veterans in the area have a voice and a person that is looking out for them. Good work Jim King.Wesupportthevets.com salutes you for your contribution

These "vets" have served their country, trying to allow us all the freedoms granted us and their right to privacy is stolen from them! How dare anyone read their personal medical records without the proper legal justifications???? Just what is the privacy act about if she can get away with opening medical records. What're her qualifications? Dr. Snoopy!?
Bonnie Miller

[Anna Liisa Covell]

This compaint filed by Mr. Jim King is clearly a campaign stunt to gain attention in the press. Too bad Mr. King didn't research his facts before jumping off the deep end.

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite is the ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. It is her job to investigate complaints with the VA. The Times had raised questions about unlicensed psychologists treating patients without oversight after a complaint was filed at the Haley VA by the licensed staff psychologist.

Rep. Brown-Waite should be commended for her top notch work on the Veterans Affairs Committee. The veterans in Congresswoman Brown Waite's district have seen significant improvements since she took office.

Shame on you Mr. King for this sleezy grandstanding at the expense our Nations veterans so you can get attention in the media for your campaign! Your campaign stunt doesn't even qualify you to carry a water pail for our veterans since it has been said you never served in the military...

[Anna Liisa Covell]

This compaint filed by Mr. Jim King is clearly a campaign stunt to gain attention in the press. Too bad Mr. King didn't research his facts before jumping off the deep end.

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite is the ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. It is her job to investigate complaints with the VA. The Times had raised questions about unlicensed psychologists treating patients without oversight after a complaint was filed at the Haley VA by the licensed staff psychologist.

Rep. Brown-Waite should be commended for her top notch work on the Veterans Affairs Committee. The veterans in Congresswoman Brown Waite's district have seen significant improvements since she took office.

Shame on you Mr. King for this sleezy grandstanding at the expense our Nations veterans so you can get attention in the media for your campaign! Your campaign stunt doesn't even qualify you to carry a water pail for our veterans since it has been said you never served in the military...

[Jack]

A campaign stunt or not is not the issue here. The issue is quite simply our Congresswoman organized a forum to discuss our veterans being cared for by unlicensed medical staff at the VA. During this forum she, and the senior VA staff in attendance, had no issues with at least 9 members of their medical staff having no license. Added to that it was admitted a number of files had never been reviewed or signed off on by a licensed staff member but her attacks on the individual who brought the complaint to light was completely uncalled for and showed her total lack of respect for someone standing up to the VA system. You should take a moment to read the HIPPA requirements and how they were violated during this forum. I was amazed when one of those who spoke actually made a joke about possibly violating HIPPA during the forum.
To be better off as veterans and give up our HIPPA rights is unacceptable to this veteran. Sadly we were not even allowed to speak at this forum. Count me in as a former supporter of this Congresswoman.

[Frank]

Anna Liisa Covell, do your research...

In the letter from the Dept of Veterans Affairs, the VA demostrated visually to Ms. Brown-Waite and her members that the dept was within 97.5 % compliance and that the remaining 2.5% would be corrected accordingly. See it is not about her committee, it is the issue of HIPPA and Patient Rights...

It sounds like you are grandstanding for her 2008 campaign bid?

#1 No government committee or rep has right to bypass HIPPA Laws.

#2 We do not know who or what seen any private information. Sounds like Sandy Berger issue, I did not do anything wrong, but if I did, I have the right to - because the Congress oversees the Department.

#3 She is part of the problem in congress today, she has been head of armed services committee and has been in politics for 25 years. Enough is Enough! Brown-Waite has been in the pocket of special interest groups in Florida, look to past & present contributers to her campaign. Face it, she has do little to help or change the problems with the VA or our needy troops. The Tampa VA turns down patients and she does little assist the patients with their needs. She leads a political force as the wind blows, doing just enough to keep her job year after year. Look at the ugly video she did in 2006 about Muslims and Terrorist, her true feelings are leaking out through her inactions. The good old days of politics must come to an end.... Career politicians like Brown-Waite need to step down and allow new leaders to run this nation. Its funny how the senate and congress have a much lower ratings than our most unpopular president? Did we not say change in 2006? Brown-Waite and others have done little to gain our confidence.. She is part of the problem, not the solution...

#4 Her voting record is poor and she is flip-flop on key issues over the past several years. Ms. Brown-Waite has fooled the 5th district in Florida for long enough, a new and fresh face has surfaced, Jim King, a person that will do what he says. God Bless Him...

[Johnny]

The VA has a tarnished history of "misplacing" veteran's records and this is another blatant example of such errors. In order to address another problem they created another and shows that rules and protocol are not a major priority in Congress.

The record here should show that while Brown-Waite appears to care for the veterans she seemingly bypassed laws put in place to protect patients medical information. Instead of putting on a dog and pony show on veteran issues maybe she should actually vote for their issues. According to the Disabled American Veterans she only voted 4 out of 12 times in support of veteran issues. It is time for a new congress to one that will truly take care of our veterans instead of providing them with table scraps.

[Linda]

As it wise to ignore rather DUMB remarks that don’t relay to the issue in the news broadcast, I can only say ”Hail to The King” for stepping up to the plate.
The 5th District is in dire need of a change. And change starts in our own back yard.

[Anna Liisa Covell]

BTW, Frank, I have done my research on Mr. Jim King. As I stated before this complaint is clearly a campaign stunt to get noticed in the media for his campaign.

As for a "fresh new face", I suggest that you do some homework of your own concerning Mr. King's previous political background because he is "no fresh face" when it comes to politics.

Jim King has run for office at least four times, under four different banners: as an independent in 1992, Democrat in 1994, Reform in 2000 and Republican in 2000. He switched midway through the race.

As for Jack, his opening statement says it all: "A campaign stunt or not is not the issue here. The issue is quite simply our Congresswoman organized a forum to discuss our veterans being cared for by unlicensed medical staff at the VA". Imagine that, Congresswoman Brown-Waite was doing her job as the ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Refreshing isn't it to see a politican actually doing there job!

[RTaylor]

Anna Liisa,
Mr. King should be commended for standing up for our veterans. He is a staunch supporter of our veterans and I, for one, am happy to see him out there speaking up for them.
On what basis do you have for making the statement that this is a "campaign stunt"? Some people do things for the right reasons, not just to "get press" and Mr. King is one such person.

What does the word privacy mean?
Medical Records are PRIVATE and to be viewed only by those WE grant to view them.

Anna seems to have her own soap-box totally off kilter.

I don't care if Brown Waitte is an overseer to the Veterans Administration - she is NOT qualified to view medical records.

As for serving in the Armed Services, Clinton never served, neither did Bush. How is that statement relevant??

Bonnie

[Frank]

Anna Anna Anna,

Elections mean truth, just because he is stating the facts, you want to be a hater. Whatever.. Ginny doing her job, what a joke. She pledges one thing and does another. She bends with the wind. Ginny has had her chance, wake up...

Stick to the format and answer the issue, you side-step my points for a reason. Have something to hide?

It is refreshing to see another blind drive-byer try and make a bid for someone. Look at the other responses, dont you see the picture?

Image that Ms. Brown has a fan who refuses to see the truth. Oh well I guess we should pack up and run.....

Do your research, do you know who JIM KING is and who his family is? I think you are talking out of your @@@. Well email me and I will help you see the truth.

www.old-school-american.com

Frank