AMA Wins Legal Victory for Physicians in Privacy Court Case
D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sides with AMA and HHS in consumersâ checkbook litigation
For immediate release:
Feb. 2, 2009
Statement attributable to:
Jeremy Lazarus, MD
Board Member, AMA
âPhysicians have won a major victory for preserving their privacy in the recent ruling by the D.C. Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals. The American Medical Association successfully fought to preserve protections against public disclosure of Medicare payments to physicians.
âThe court found that physicians have a significant right to privacy, and there is no public interest in the disclosure sought by Consumersâ Checkbook. The court clearly found that the release of personal physician payment data does not meet the standard of the Freedom of Information Act, which is to provide the public with information on how the government operates.
âEvery physician who works with Medicare will benefit from the AMAâs legal victory to preserve physiciansâ privacy. This is a prime example of the AMA making good on its commitment to help physicians, through advocacy, focus on what they do best â care for patients.â
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Contact:
Katherine M. Hatwell
AMA Media Relations
202-789-7419
