Dr. Burgess Weekly Video Address | June 14 , 2013 “IRS Oversight” "Hello, this is your congressman, Michael Burgess. "Over the past several months, you and I have been made aware of some disturbing behavior by the Internal Revenue Service. First, it was revealed that IRS agents were targeting Americans based on their political beliefs. A completely unfair action that goes against everything we believe as Americans. Then, more recently, allegations on Courthouse News Service stated that the IRS had once again abused their power by seizing as many as **60 million medical records** from a California Health provider. "Now look, as a doctor for over 25 years, I am alarmed that the IRS reportedly abused its power to obtain confidential medical records. If these allegations turn out to be true, then they will be significant violations of our privacy rights. What concerns me the most about this recent behavior by the IRS is we are about to give them even more authority, as they are the ones who will implement the new Affordable Care Act. Once the new health care system goes into effect in January, I am concerned about the restrictions and safeguards that would ensure our private medical information isn’t abused. As of now, it appears that there are no rules or restrictions on the IRS’s ability to use protected information after they obtain it. "This is sensitive data we are dealing with here, and the Affordable Care Act has given an unprecedented amount of power to the IRS. We cannot allow the IRS to continue operating with such a lack of accountability and oversight, especially when we are dealing with personal medical records. Its disregard for the rights and privacy of citizens is not only unacceptable, it is wrong, and it must be stopped. "Once I receive a response from the Internal Revenue Service on these allegations, all actions will be on the table, including appropriate legislative action. Thank you for taking the time to listen. For more information on legislative issues before the United States Congress, please visit my website, burgess.house.gov. May God bless you and your family- and as always, may God bless Texas."
Posted on: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 03:17:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015