Pubdate: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2004, The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Rush+Limbaugh COURT SHOULD TAKE LIMBAUGH CASE Rush Limbaugh's fight to keep his medical records private is headed to the Florida Supreme Court, and the justices should agree to hear it. Last month a panel of judges on the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled 2-1 that prosecutors could legally seize the talk show host's medical records without notifying him and giving him the chance to object. Limbaugh, who admitted an addiction to painkillers, is under investigation for "doctor shopping" in Palm Beach County. He argues his privacy rights outweigh prosecutors' power to take his medical records without notice. The panel disagreed, saying prosecutors can use a search warrant to obtain the records without notification. If allowed to stand, this ruling would set a dangerous precedent that could change the confidential relationship between doctor and patient. The government should not have the power to take medical records in secret. Medical records are special. Before the government can seize them wholesale, the patient must be given the chance to argue otherwise. We hope the Supreme Court agrees. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek