Kit Bond: “I am gravely concerned not with the substance of the amendment of my good friend from Illinois but what adding it to…”

“I am gravely concerned not with the substance of the amendment of my good friend from Illinois but what adding it to this bill would do. I happen to be the cosponsor, along with the distinguished Senator from Michigan [Mr. Riegle], of privacy provisions in the health information modernization and security system. We believe this is an important part of health care. Privacy provisions exist throughout Government agencies as has already been stated. There is a measure the Senator from Illinois has which I understand has been referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. This committee should hold hearings on this matter to determine whether a statutory commission is necessary. I believe that the administration would have the power to appoint by Executive order a commission which could provide the study and review. At a time when we are trying to cut back on the number of commissions and studies, I think they would want to be very careful in the extent to which they get into new commissions and new bodies. In summary, while I appreciate the interest that the Senator has, this is a very important question. Privacy affects all of us.”