AFFIRMATIVE — COUNTERPLAN — FREE MARKET — ANSWERS 97

FREE MARKET WILL NOT WORK FOR MEDICAL INFORMATION

BECAUSE THE HEALTH CARE FIELD IS NOT A FREE MARKET DOMAIN, MARKET FORCES CANNOT PROTECT PRIVACY

THE KANSAS CITY STAR, November 3, 1999 SECTION: OPINION; Pg. B8, TITLE: Safeguards on privacy must be tighter // acs-EE2001

Few issues should have been receiving more attention in recent years from Congress. If the health-care market in the United States were working properly, competition and consumer demand would have dictated better privacy protections long ago. But because we do not enjoy an efficient market in health care, it falls to the government to see that consumers receive at least minimal protection.

Although some states have tried to do the job, it really belongs to the federal government. That's because Uncle Sam is so heavily involved in financing and governing the health-care system already.

In addition, having a uniform set of rules for companies reduces the paperwork and enforcement costs. It also should increase compliance rates.