America’s biggest pharmacies have been quietly sharing Americans’ private medical records with police without their knowledge.
In what is being described as a ‘staggering’ breach of privacy, a congressional probe found the seven largest chains released people’s sensitive information to law enforcement or federal investigators without a warrant.
While some of the pharmacy chains required their lawyers to review law enforcement requests, three of them — CVS, Kroger and Rite Aid which have 60,000 stores nationwide — said they allowed staff to hand over the records in their stores.
Senator Ron Wyden, who led the investigation, said it raised grave concerns because medical records were among the ‘most personal’ information for patients — revealing long-term conditions, sexual behavior and birth control.
There are now concerns that women could be hunted down by officials in states where abortions are illegal for taking abortion drugs.
Sen Wyden warned the current rules allowed for a ‘full blown witch hunt’ by Republican states against women.
This week mother-of-two Kate Cox was forced to travel out of Texas after a court denied her an abortion for her fetus which has a fatal genetic complication.
Current rules allow law enforcement to request medical records using a subpoena.
These can be issued by court clerks or government agencies but, unlike a warrant, do not require the approval of a judge.
And unlike subpoenas, warrants require law enforcement to establish a probable cause to believe a crime has been committed before making the request.
Hellbound and Down 
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