SPRINGFIELD – Registration of immunizations in Illinois would change from voluntary to mandatory under a bill Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Highwood) introduced last week.
Critics of HB 4244 include more than 10,000 citizens who have filed opposition slips describing the measure as “asinine,” and “unconstitutional.” Many say they are “disgusted” that lawmakers are even considering the action.
The House committee on Health and Human Services planned to take it up on Wednesday, Jan. 19.
“…Health care providers, physician's designees, or pharmacist's designees shall (rather than may) provide immunization data to be entered into the immunization data registry,” the bill synopsis says. “…The written information and the immunization data exemption forms must include information that the health care provider shall (rather than may) report immunization data to the Department of Public Health to be entered into the immunization data registry. Effective January 1, 2023.”
State Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville), who serves on the Health and Human Services committee, said his office has been flooded with calls and emails opposing the bill.
Meier called the proposal unconstitutional and un-American.
“This is not what you do in a free society,” Meier said. “The State of Illinois should not be forcing health care providers, physician's designees, or pharmacist's to report private individual health records to the government.”
Here is a sample of opposing views from Illinoisans:
Stella Bakopoulos wrote, “This is unconstitutional and goes against the rights of law abiding citizens.”
Jaki Berggren wrote, “Our personal private health info need not be shared with anyone other than my doctor unless I say it is okay.”
Tammy Chebny wrote, “It violates our constitutional freedom and if passed, all who vote in favor will lose in next election.”
William Chebny wrote, “Strips freedom from individuals.”
JoAnne Cook wrote, “America the land of the free not the tracked by number.”
Tamara Efsen wrote, “Government does not need to know about my health. If my private information is needed, there is an agenda and it is not for my protection.”
Maria Ellis wrote, “Myself, my family oppose the illegal privacy and medical freedom breach of this bill.”
Jeremy Fritch wrote, “Our medical information is private and should remain that way. This violates our constitutional freedoms.”
Linda T. Garcia wrote, “Imposing such a bill is completely unconstitutional and wrong. I strongly oppose this.”
Michael Gorman wrote, “Technology industry leaving Illinois if this passes.”
Darlene Graefen wrote, “Vaccinated and unvaccinated can and do spread, catch and die from covid. Another step in a wrong and terrifying direction.”
Rebecca Harms wrote, “We the people have a right to privacy. We have medical freedom. Government needs to butt out.”
John Juns wrote, “I do not want any of my personal medical information on a registry of any kind. This completely violates my privacy.”
Patrycja Kwasnik wrote, “I am disgusted what you are trying to do.”
Karen Lovell wrote, “This is an unnecessary waste of valuable resources.”
Leeann Manoni wrote, “This is unconstitutional to have medical info and it is our American freedom to have choice. Our medical information is private and should remain private for a reason.”
Katie May wrote, “Government has no right collecting and tracking my personal health care medical decisions especially when I’m under private insurance.”
Heather McCord wrote, “An individual’s medical information is private.”
Schuyler McFarland wrote, “Oppose this unconstitutional proposal. Demand bodily autonomy. It is a basic human right. Let us stay free.”
Matthew Nelson wrote, “Our medical info is none of your business.”
Artur Nieweglowski and Elzbieta Nieweglowski both wrote, “This bill goes against our constitutional rights.”
Danielle Perrino wrote, “You guys are unbelievable. I am disgusted with the overreach in this state. Great job pushing people out of our great state in masses.”
Jessica Peterson wrote, “Illinois politicians are so out of tune with the citizens of this state it is so unbelievable.”
Kassandra Ramirez wrote, “First and Fourth amendment being violated.”
Barbara Rebidas wrote, “Protecting personal freedoms in IL.”
Brooke Seivert wrote that she represented “my family and those Illinois residents who still value their individual freedoms under the Constitution.”
Kristi Tippie, employee of Tippie Family Farms, wrote that she represented “everyone who values First and Fourth amendment rights.”
Brett Simons, of BCS Capital, wrote that he represented all children and parents in Illinois. He wrote, “If you are trying to drive everyone out of the state it’s working.”
Kathy Welch wrote, “This is absolutely asinine.”
Jeanna Wiggins wrote, “This bill is unconstitutional.”
Lillian Wood wrote, “We should be allowed the right to choose who has access to our personal health information.”
Sean Williams wrote, “Illinois resident for now.”
Jason Wrosch and Laura Wrosch both wrote, “There is so much more that needs attention in this state. Spend time on addressing the issues that require attention and stay out of our private medical information.”
Annette Yen wrote, “The constitution is still our governing document. I am filling this out to show my opposition knowing full well you all seem to ignore these.”
Laura Leahy, Sean Virgin, and Thomas Walker wrote that the bill would violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Leahy, an attorney, called the bill “yet another governmental overreach.”
Virgin called it abuse of power.
Walker called it intrusion on his privacy.