Concerns About Obama Healthcare and Implantable Microchips

The Healthcare Bill more commonly known as ObamaCare has caused fear and consternation among Christians and non Christians due to a number of factors, but in particular HR3200 Sec. 2521, page 1,000 will establish a National Medical Device Registry.

A great deal of fear mongering is taking place and while I am a Christian. I do not like to see my friends in a truly fearful state without cause. I worked in regulatory compliance in clinical research for over two years during which time I gained a little knowledge about the protocol approval process. In an effort to discover the truth I spent some time researching medical devices on the FDA web site.

This section states, “National Medical Device Registry from H.R. 3200 [Healthcare Bill], pages 1,001-1,008: (g)(1) The Secretary shall establish a national medical device registry (in this subsection referred to as the ‘registry’) to facilitate analysis of postmarket safety and outcomes data on each device that— ‘‘(A) is or has been used in or on a patient; ‘‘(B)and is— ‘‘(i) a class III device; or ‘‘(ii) a class II device that is implantable, life-supporting, or life-sustaining.”

In a nut shell, a Class II device is a device that requires additional qualification but not as much as a Class III device (like an X-ray machine). A Class III medical device is a device that is life-sustaining or life-supporting (like a pacemaker or a heart valve). However, another device has been approved for use and marketing under the Class III designation. This device falls under the category of an implantable radio frequency transponder system. The name of the device is VERICHIP HEALTH INFORMATION MICROTRANSPONDER AND POCKET READER. This device was cleared for use July 22, 2004.

These devices are about the size of a grain of rice and can be implanted in the arm with minimal pain in about twenty minutes. This is not a tracking device but a device that contains a barcode of the individual's basic information that when scanned unlocks basic health information from secure databases in the health care system.

These devices are widely used in animals and by some people in Europe. The concern is that these devices could easily be used to invade personal privacy or used as tracking devices.

Speaking as one who worked in the health care community for many years, it is understandable that researchers are seeking a means to have available the basic information for people they treat. Seconds mean the difference in saving a life at times. I do understand the need. Before I left the research institute where I worked I worked on database protocols in an attempt to compile a database that would give researchers easy access to information without interfering with the privacy of the individuals.

I have no doubt that most researchers are absolutely interested in Best Practices and developing a means to make this information available in the speediest form without revealing private and personal information.

After reading the pertinent sections of HR 3200, pages 1000 -1008, I cannot find that such implantation of the VeriChip device or any other device will be required under this bill.

These devices have been around and in use for several years. Anyone who has been connected to a portable heart monitor (electrocardiogram) to measure heart rhythms over a period of days has used one of the devices described in the bill. Again, anyone who has used a portable glucose meter that stays attached to the body for several days has used one of the devices described in this bill. These are tracking devices and record the heart rhythm, or the blood glucose spikes and lows over a certain period of time.

Establishing a National Registry could be a good thing for getting speedy access to basic personal information such as history, allergies, and other necessary information. While I concede the need and the benefit of such a registry, I do have concerns that such a registry could be used against an unwary population.  I am not a lawyer, so my reading of these paragraphs may fall short of the true meaning, but I do not see that this legislation requires the implantation of such a device.

Whether this year or within three years. I will not be getting such a medical device implanted within my body.  I concede the benefits but my religious concerns over rule health care in this instance. Everyone will have to make up their own mind about such things in the end.