Health data shared all too freely, and other letters

In response to your recent article “CVS cancels pharma-funded Rx reminders citing new HIPAA rule,” it is entirely inappropriate to use a person's personal healthcare information without specific consent to do so for profit as is the case with these refill notices. Do the math: 100 million multiplied by $1.50. Digitized health data is shared all too freely under the guise of HIPAA operations and research. Patients should be able to consent to any and all use of their data.

Mary Powell, Ridley Park, Pa.

In “Not big on rules," I certainly sympathize with many of the sentiments shared. And perhaps the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction regarding rules and regulations for physicians. However, the days are gone—and should be—when the physician knows what's “best” despite the wishes of the patient and family. End-of-life care is the most dramatic example.

Michael Mundorff, Salt Lake City