Pennsylvania Doctors Worry Over Fracking 'Gag Rule'

[white cloud]

A new law in Pennsylvania has doctors nervous.

The law grants physicians access to information about trade-secret chemicals used in natural gas drilling. Doctors say they need to know what's in those formulas in order to treat patients who may have been exposed to the chemicals.

But the new law also says that doctors can't tell anyone else — not even other doctors — what's in those formulas. It's being called the "doctor gag rule."

'I Don't Know If It's Due To Exposure'

Plastic surgeon Amy Pare practices in suburban Pittsburgh where she does reconstructive surgeries and deals with a lot of skin issues. She tells me about one case, a family who brought in a boy with strange skin lesions.
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/17/152268501/pennsylvania-doctors-worry-over-fracking-gag-rule

[enough]

1. As a Pennsylvanian, I am more than worried about this law, I am outraged.

Doctors cannot get the information they require without signing a confidentiality agreement. The health of the citizens of Pennsylvania is subordinated to corporate profit.

[white cloud]

2. Just another version, extension

of the Haliburton loophole. They don't want a tracer put in the chemical mix, and don't want to make a full disclosure.

[Smilo]

3. Shows the power of

the oil companies and how corrupt is the law(yers) that they would come up with this and pass it.

Any doctor who reveals what is going on has my backing and I will contribute to their defense fund.