Court to decide whether PA's gag rule on physicians talking about fracking chemicals is legal

[JPZenger]

http://scholarship.shu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1496&context=student_scholarship

Our illustrious Gov and repub controlled legislature pushed through Act 13, to benefit the fracking industry. Parts were already overturned, such as requiring local governments to allow fracking and gas industry facilities in almost all locations, including highly residential areas.

Another part of the bill is about to be decided by the PA. Commonwealth Court. The State Supreme Ct. refused to stop the challenge, despite the valiant efforts of the frackers. This law says that the types of fracking chemicals that are used in nearby facilities can be revealed to a Medical Doctor if that Doctor has reason to believe his patient may have been sickened by gas facilities. However, then there is a gag rule on that MD that he can never reveal anything about the chemicals to anyone else.

This same challenge was rejected by a federal judge recently. This type of gag rule is in place in many states (such as N. Carolina) through the work of ALEC.

The link includes a very good analysis of the matter by a law student.

[meow2u3]

1. This gag rule sounds like a blatant violation of doctors' rights to free speech

It should be declared unconstitutional on its face because of the glaring First Amendment violations.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. This is such a no-brainer to me.

A doctor needs to have as much information as possible to find out what is wrong with a patient. And if he does have the information from the frackers, he is not able to disclose this to anyone, including the patient. Amazing.

If fracking is so safe, as we are told, why are they afraid of disclosure???? Oh, I get it....it isn't as safe as we are told. Go figure.