Presidential Candidates, Health and Privacy -- Theirs

Fascinating question posed by Lawrence Altman, MD in the New York Times....

In an election where healthcare is a major issue, why is it none of the candidates for either president or vice-president is willing to fill in the gaps on what we know about their health?

Dr. Altman claims that this is a departure, that in past elections much was known about the health of the candidates. In the case of Senator McCain, we know he has had problems with melanoma. The question has been asked repeatedly whether a 72-year old, two-time cancer survivor has the stamina and good health to be president. That question is followed by whether Governor Palin has the chops to be president. (Evidently Colin Powell doesn't think so.)

Questions about Senator Biden's health are raised as well. He has had surgery for aneurysms twice. Those questions are followed by wondering what would happen to foreign policy capabilities if Biden was incapacitated and Mr. Obama became president.

Dr. Altman suggests the secrecy may be a cover-up, as it was in the case of Dick Cheney in 2000.

So the question is -- should they be afforded this privacy? Or do we, as the people about to hire two of the four, have a right to know about their health and possible challenges?

Remember, as citizens, we have a right to privacy through HIPAA laws. We have a right to be sure that only our doctors (and a few others) have a right to know what our health problems are.

Dr. Altman makes an excellent case for disclosure on the part of candidates, but privacy laws say they owe us no information about all. What do you think?
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