Author: Health Freedom Idaho

  • Privacy Denied. Medical Data Tracking Expanded. HB 91

    Privacy Denied. Medical Data Tracking Expanded. HB 91

    HB 91 will expand an system ALREADY in place that denies a child’s right to privacy, exposes children’s private medical information to State and third parties and violates HIPPA. Now they wish to expand the tracking of private medical information to adults. This system will mandate that adult’s private/personal medical information entered into the State tracking system within 28 days of a doctor’s visit. It is only AFTER your information is uploaded to the system that you have the opportunity to opt-out.  Once that PHI (private health information) is sent out, there is no expunging it from anyone’s record EXCEPT IDHW, meaning your medical information is now out in the open, with no chance of it being private again, and all without your consent.Once you opt out, the burden is on you to ensure that H&W has actually expunged that info (and remember, other 3rd parties do not have to). This is not just any time you go to the doctor for vaccinations. This is every single time you go to a pharmacist, an ER, an urgent care, to get a mammogram, etc. It is hospital policy to ask patients about vaccination status every time they go in, and there is pressure to give you a flu shot and a DTaP/TDaP booster every time you go in for any kind of injury, especially when you don’t remember when you last received them, even if you are sick (many hospitals even require pressure to be put on those who have immune disorders). 

    This is wrong, and dangerous. “Intent” of the law doesn’t matter so much as the possibility for the law to be misused against the people. Not to mention the inherent violations of privacy written into this particular one.
    TELL LEGISLATORS NO ON HB 91.

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    HISTORY:

    -IRIS was originally created to allow parents a centralized place to “store” their children’s vaccination records in case they lost their hard copies, and it would be easily accessible to parents, other legal guardians, child care providers, and health care workers if the parents allowed them access to it.

    -IRIS was also an opt-in program originally, so when a parent went in for a well child check, they could sign a waiver (along with the HIPAA form) that allowed their doctor to put their child’s vaccination information into IRIS (because it is private health information, protected by HIPAA).

    -In 2012, IRIS became an opt-out program because doctors complained that the one extra page of paperwork was “too much work”. Now most parents don’t even know their children’s PHI is in IRIS. They can technically opt out by submitting a written statement to IDHW, but it doesn’t function that seemlessly.

    -In 2015, provisions were made to allow 3rd parties access to our children’s vaccination records by omitting the section that previously required records to be expunged from 3rd parties as well when parents opted out of IRIS.

    DANGERS:

    • Because it is an opt-out program, the majority of parents do not know their children’s information is in IRIS. IDHW sends out a paper shortly after your child is born saying that they are enrolled into IRIS, but you receive that about a month after they are born and in the mix of all the other paperwork you get at the hospital or from 3rd parties after a child is born, it doesn’t stick out as anything important unless you already know what you’re looking at.
    • If H91 goes through, your personal medical records will be on file with IDHW until you opt out (and DHW states that it may take up to 2 weeks for you to opt out officially and your records be expunged from H&W)
      .
    • Your information will be given to third parties that DO NOT have to expunge your information, nor do these 3rd parties have to disclose to you that they HAVE your medical information (now, there are 3rd parties, but they are named in the current statute, whereas 2 years ago they were not in the original bill).
    • You cannot just “opt out” of the program before you are entered into it. What H91 does is take it a step further MANDATING that all providers put that medical information into IRIS. Only afterwards can you “opt” out. Providers have a 28-day window to provide IRIS with this information, and IDHW has a 2 week window to expunge your information IF they have your information by the time your provider sends it over. Within the time frame that your provider sends the information to IRIS and the time that H&W expunges that information, H&W will be sending that PHI to 3rd parties without one’s consent and usually, without their knowledge. Once that PHI is sent out, there is no expunging it from anyone’s record EXCEPT IDHW, meaning your medical information is now out in the open, with no chance of it being private again, and all without your consent.

    Particularly since this is done without one’s consent, or even knowledge, it is a violation of HIPAA. Once you opt out, the burden is on you to ensure that H&W has actually expunged that info (and remember, other 3rd parties do not have to). This is not just any time you go to the doctor for vaccinations. This is every single time you go to a pharmacist, an ER, an urgent care, to get a mammogram, etc. It is hospital policy to ask patients about vaccination status every time they go in, and there is pressure to give you a flu shot and a Dtp booster every time you go in for any kind of injury, especially when you don’t remember when you last received them, even if you are sick (many hospitals even require pressure to be put on those who have immune disorders). This is wrong, and dangerous. “Intent” of the law doesn’t matter so much as the possibility for the law to be misused against the people. Not to mention the inherent violations of privacy written into this particular one.

    Thank you for your time and for being a representative for the people

    UPDATE: 

    WIN FOR HEALTH FREEDOM IDAHO
    Adult Immunizaiton Tracking
    VOTED DOWN

    Health Freedom Idaho members called and emailed their concerns to the representatives. They were heard! And the results was 44 of our state representatives voted down of the privacy invasion. 

    Watch the entire House Debate from the archives:
    http://lso.legislature.idaho.gov/MediaArchive/ShowCommitteeOrMedia.do;jsessionid=92559A4CF43D605E802FDE4D77DC0D5Fchives

  • HB 91: Invasion of Privacy (IRIS)

    HB 91: Invasion of Privacy (IRIS)

    Do you know what IRIS is?

    It is a sneaky invasion of privacy regarding one’s private health information (PHI). IRIS has historically been an immunization registry for children’s vaccination records, but is now being used to assimilate the medical information regarding one’s vaccinations (or lack thereof) without the knowledge or consent of a patient or their guardians. Our children’s vaccination records are already in IRIS, and IRIS is expanding to all adults in the State of Idaho as well.

    That’s right! The Legislature wants to expand their data tracking information to include all adults with HB 91. The newest invasion of privacy has passed committee and will be heard on the house floor Feb 21st. If passed it will move onto the Senate Health Committee and Senate Floor. Time is limited we MUST TELL LEGISLATORS TO OPPOSE HB 91 the bill that will require the State tracking of the  immunizations of all adults.  

    Simple option to text, email or send a video message from your phone:

    Talking Points:

    1) No other pharmaceutical product use is reported to the state like this and this is a violation of medical privacy.

    2)  CDC has openly stated that vaccine registries are a tool to identify areas of “undervaccination” so that they can be “addressed” and brought into “compliance.”   https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6133a2.htm  The healthcare choices Idahoans make are Idahoans’ and there is no need for our choices to be “addressed” or brought into “compliance”. This is an attack on our health freedoms disguised as just a little information gathering. Given that the pharmaceutical companies have nearly 300 vaccines in development and would like to see those used by the entire populace, it is not hard to see why CDC wants to monitor the public’s use of vaccines so it can “address areas of undervaccination.”

    3) We know from the problems many parents have reported that many parents have no idea that IRIS (the Idaho Immunization Registry) even exists, no idea that their children’s information is being entered into the system, no idea that the registry is voluntary and that they may opt out completely yet Idaho Code 39-4803 explicitly states that the registry is voluntary. Several years ago we fought the extension of IRIS to adults because code was already not being followed and we won.   https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title39/T39CH48/SECT39-4803/

    4) Given violations of I.C. 39-4803 pertaining to IRIS and children, we are very concerned that adults will not be aware there is a system, that the system is opt out, and that their private medical information will be entered into it. If they aren’t aware the system even exists or that it is voluntary, how is the system truly voluntary? If parents are not being informed of the existence and voluntary nature of IRIS, why should we trust that this information will be explained to adults?

    5) There is nothing in HB 91 that explicitly requires those who administer vaccines to notify vaccine recipients of the existence of IRIS or the fact that IRIS is voluntary but that vaccine recipients must opt out. 

    6) There is nothing in HB 91 that ensures vaccine administrators follow the law. Who will check and ensure the law is followed?

    7) We already know that the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has violated code with respect to IRIS. Several years ago when Dr. Christine Hahn of the Department of Health and Welfare testified in front of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, she stated that IRIS had already entered the personal private information of Idaho adults who had received a flu vaccine into the system. This is illegal. There is no code that allows for the private medical information of adults to be entered into IRIS. If they’ve already broken the law, why should we trust that they will follow it now?

  • Dollar Store Products Contain Toxic Chemicals

    Dollar Store Products Contain Toxic Chemicals

    HealthyStuff, in collaboration with the Campaign for Healthier Solutions, released a report today about toxic chemicals found in Dollar store products. The report — A Day Late and a Dollar Short: Discount Retailers are Falling Behind on Safer Chemicals — includes testing results for 164 dollar store products such as toys, jewelry, school supplies and other household items, that found over 81% (133 of 164) contained at least one hazardous chemical above levels of concern.

    The campaign also sent a letter to the CEO’s of the four largest Dollar store chains — including Family Dollar (tentatively acquired by Dollar Tree on January 22), Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and 99 Cents Only urging them to stop the sale of products with hazardous chemicals to communities of color and low-income families, who already live in more polluted areas and “food deserts,” and adopt policies that will protect both customers and their businesses. Combined these discount chains have sales totaling over $36 billion and operate more stores nationally than Walmart.

    “People struggling to make ends meet are confined to shopping at the Dollar stores,” said Jose T. Bravo, National Coordinator for the Campaign for Healthier Solutions. “We are already disproportionately affected by pollution and lack of adequate medical care, and now we know we’re filling our homes and our bodies with chemicals released from Dollar store products. This needs to stop. ”

    “We’ve tested 1,000’s of products from dozens of retailers over the last ten years, said Jeff Gearhart, HealthyStuff Research Director. “And on average the dollar store products are some of the poorest performing from a chemical hazard perspective. I am particularly concerned about the comparatively high percentage of products containing hazardous plasticizers. ”

    The chemicals of concern found in Dollar store products tested for this report include: phthalates, linked to birth defects, reduced fertility, cancer, learning disabilities, diabetes, and other health issues; polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC or vinyl), which creates hazards throughout its life cycle and has been linked to asthma and lung effects; and toxic metals such as lead, which harms brain development, leading to learning disabilities, lower IQ, and cause other serious health impacts, especially in children.

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    Other key findings from the report include:

    • 49% of products tested (80 of 164) contained two or more hazardous chemicals above levels of concern;
    • 38% of the products tested (63 of 164) contained the toxic plastic PVC (vinyl);
    • 32% of a subset of vinyl products tested for phthalates (12 of 38) contained levels of phthalates above the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) limit for children’s products.

    In addition, 40% of sales at Dollar stores go toward food products (not tested for this report) — much of which is highly processed with low nutritional quality, and whose packaging is another potential source of toxic chemicals including bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic hormone linked to breast and others cancers, reproductive problems, obesity, early puberty and heart disease.

    Fortunately, there is a growing movement by mainstream retail and manufacturing brands — including Target and Walmart — to respond to consumer demand for safer products with publicly-available corporate policies that identify, disclose, and replace priority toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. By failing to address toxic chemicals through comprehensive policies, Dollar chains are not only putting their customers at risk, they are exposing their businesses to the fate of companies like Mattel, which lost 18% of its value after recalling toys with lead paint, and Sigg USA, which went bankrupt after failing to disclose toxic BPA in its water bottles.

    The Campaign for Healthier Solutions is asking for a comprehensive set of reforms, including that:

    Discount Retailers immediately remove children’s products found to contain regulated phthalates and lead from store shelves; and adopt comprehensive corporate chemical management policies to identify, disclose, and remove hazardous chemicals from their supply chains and from all products in their stores, beginning with their house brands.

    Local, State, and Federal Governments ensure that discount retailers comply with all relevant laws and regulations; and adopt public policies (such as Maine’s Kid-Safe Products Law and Washington’s Children’s Safe Products Act) that require manufacturers and retailers to disclose hazardous chemicals in products, research alternatives, and remove hazardous chemicals when alternatives are available, effective, and safer.

    Families and Communities let Dollar store chains know that they want safer products, and join local and national efforts advocating for nontoxic products.

    Complete test results are available at HealthyStuff.org. The full report and more information about the Campaign are available at www.nontoxicdollarstores.org

    *Article originally appeared at Healthy Holistic Living.

  • Get Your Kids To Eat: Celery

    Get Your Kids To Eat: Celery

    Ever heard of phytonutrients? They are what makes celery stand out among other raw greens. Phytonutrients are an antioxidant that help prevent damage done to body fat and blood vessel walls. This may not sound important, but to put it in common terms blood vessel damage leads to many of the diseases we see today. Be sure to use strong fruit to balance out the potent flavor of the celery stalks and/or leaves.
    Some love it, some can’t stand it. 
    Our family discovered that if you de-string celery, many kids will come around. Its that gag reflex with a celery string hits the back of your throat that causes the aversion to celery. 
    De-stringing celery turns into a game which makes eating food a bit more fun. Here is how to de-string your celery:
    • A simple pop and pull technique. 
    • Snap the top portion of the celery stalk. 

    • Take the cut piece and gently peel the strings away from the celery rib. As you pull the strings, it will release down the whole rib of celery.

    If you do not get all of the strings with the first pull, take a knife and gently lift a string from the end. Once you get an end sticking up, you can pull that string all the way down the rib of celery.

    There you have it – string-free celery for the whole family to enjoy!

  • Get Your Kids To Eat: Cilantro

    Get Your Kids To Eat: Cilantro

    Most fast food is dipped, cooked, and lathered in all sorts of unhealthy things that cause high blood sugar and cholesterol, but not this “fast food.” One of the remedies for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol is cilantro, and its fast and easy to add to your daily smoothie! Try it with lime juice and other tropical treats.

    Here is how our family sneaks cilantro into SMOOTHIES. 

    GREEN SMOOTHIE WITH CILANTRO: 
    1. 3 ice cubes.
    2. 1 fresh or frozen medium banana.
    3. 1/2 cup cilantro.
    4. Juice of 1/2 lime.
    5. 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil.
    6. A dash of Celtic sea salt or other high quality salt.
    7. A little honey, maple syrup, or stevia to sweeten (optional)
    We also love in our SALSA. Throw all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse a couple times.
    HOMEMADE SALSA:

    • 6 tomatoes of varying sizes, chopped
    • 4 small jalapeno peppers* (leave the seeds in for an extra kick)
    • ½ onion
    • ¼-1/2 cup fresh cilantro
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 1½ to 2 teaspoons ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about ½ lemon, juiced)
    And, we love it even on our salads.
    FRESH GREENS SALAD WITH HERBS:
    • ½ head green cabbage
    • ¾ c. thinly sliced white onion
    • ½ c. fresh cilantro
    • ¼ c. vegetable oil
    • 3 tbsp. fresh lime juice
    • 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tsp. Freshly ground pepper
    How do you help your kids acquire the test for healthy foods?
  • Get Your Kids To Eat: Romaine

    Get Your Kids To Eat: Romaine

    Romaine lettuce is a nutrient rich leafy green that is good for your heart and low in calories. The vitamin C and beta-carotene content help to lower cholesterol and prevent build up on artery walls, which reduces the risk of heart attack. Being low in calories also helps you lose weight while keeping you full.

     Seems easy. But not the easy stuff isn’t always so easy. 

    We tend to “hide this lettuce in: 
    • A mixed green salad
    • Upon the hamburger
    • Dipped into our favorite ranch
    • Tucked into a taco
    What do you do to help your children ‘acquire a taste’ for healthy foods ?
  • Identical twin SID DEATHS 48 hours after vaccines

    Identical twin SID DEATHS 48 hours after vaccines

    Given that the sudden and simultaneous deaths of twins rarely occur, you would think, especially given the fact that they had been recently vaccinated, that it would receive quite a bit of attention.

    However, this story went largely unreported. (In order for twins to meet the criteria for simultaneous SIDS both babies must have died independently and within the same 24 hour time period.)

    PubMed reports that identical twin girls, aged 3.5-months and delivered via c-section, were found dead (by their poor momma) in their crib, both laying face up. Not surprisingly, both babies were healthy will no serious medical history. Two days before their death, both of the girls had received their second dose of oral polio, DPT, and their first dose of hepatitis B vaccines. They had a fever the day after the vaccines and were given a teaspoon of acetaminophen.

    All that and yet, “the death scene investigation, judicial investigation, parental assessment, macroscopic and microscopic autopsy findings and the toxicological analysis didn’t yield any specific cause of death.”

    Because the case was so rare it was referred to a board of multidisciplinary medical professionals at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, in the Ministry of Justice, in Istanbul. And yet, the Board still decided that the data they had was consistent with SIDS.

    Let this sink in: a medical journal is reporting that twins, who were recently vaccinated both died, but it’s nothing more than the luck of the draw. 

    Unexplainable. 

  • What’s On My Favorite Food: Applesauce

    What’s On My Favorite Food: Applesauce

    Its been a favorite since they were sitting in the high chair. Now that they are ‘growing up’ we get those conventional single serving sizes for quick snacks during outings and after school.
    I thought I was doing right by them. Instead of junk food, giving them whole food. I didn’t realize, what I was putting into their developing bodies. 
    Yet, check out the 14 Pesticide Residues found on apples by the USDA Pesticide Data Program.
    I will be choosing ORGANIC from now on – NO MATTER WHAT!
    How about you? Did you know how many residual chemicals were in your child’s after school snack?
  • As If We Needed More: Fumigants Turn Into Fluoride

    As If We Needed More: Fumigants Turn Into Fluoride

    As if fluoridated water and widespread fluoridated pesticide use like cryolite wasn’t enough, some food processors use sulfuryl fluoride as a fumigant on certain foods, and for pest prevention in warehouses and food containers. Sulfuryl fluoride breaks down into fluoride after application. 

    “Unlike virtually every other western country, the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] does not require that food processors remove food prior to the fumigation. As a result, any food that is being stored in the facility during a structural fumigation will be contaminated with fluoride.”

    According to EPA estimates, foods most commonly fumigated include cocoa powder (100 percent), dried beans (100 percent), walnuts (99 percent) and dried fruits (69 percent). Other “healthy” foods like brown rice are also very high in fluoride, despite only 3% of the crop being fumigated. Rice tends to have 12.5 parts per million (ppm) compared to 8.4 ppm for cocoa powder. 

    Love your morning coffee? According to a 2005 editorial by the late Albert Burgstahler, PH.D., who was a professor emeritus of chemistry, “Fluoride residues in food fumigated with sulfuryl fluoride are excessively high and are at levels known to cause serious adverse health effects, including crippling skeletal fluorosis.”5

    White grape juice is generally very high as well, due to the use of cryolite. 

    So, whenever possible, buy organic for foods that are likely to be fumigated to protect you and your family from more toxic fluoride. 

  • Get your Kids to Eat: Cabbage

    Get your Kids to Eat: Cabbage

    Cabbage is yet another example of a cancer fighting leafy green. One thing that may help to separate it from the pack is its popularity in home gardens and fresh markets, which makes them easy to find. It also has a hint of sweetness to go with those yummy, summer smoothies filled with berries.
    We use cabbage as a base for our salads. 
    Slice cabbage thinly (like you are making coleslaw)
    Add Carrot Shreds
    sweet red onion
    Mix ins: 
    sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries (great for color and a bit of sweetness), sesame seeds
    Create a yummy citrus salad dressing:
    1. 1 small shallot, finely chopped.
    2. ¾ cup olive oil.
    3. ¼ cup Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar.
    4. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.
    5. 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice.
    6. ¼ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest.
    7. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
    Add dressing just before serving and Enjoy All Year Round.