As Pope Leo undergoes surgery today (October 13) we must hold him in prayer. My 8:30 AM Mass at St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton, SC will be a votive Mass for the Holy Father.
I wanted to write this yesterday, but thought that I should not be speculating on health issues of a pope and how serious his surgery might be and what they might find.
But since the Pillar has done so this morning (October 13) I wanted to add my nickel's worth.
My concern is about how quickly this surgery has been scheduled, meaning it is occuring in the middle of an important meeting the pope has called to discuss the “reception” of Amoris Laetitia. The Holy Father was to be the celebrant for the closing Mass this Wednesday and the summary report was to be released.
The report is now being sidelined to another date so the pope can listen to the results and offer His Holiness’ own commentary. Cardinal Tagle, the new dean of the Cardinals, will substitute for the pope as the celebrant of the Mass on Wednesday.
It seems to me that if this were not very serious, they could have postponed the surgery until Thursday, but there seems to be an urgency for the surgery.
Prayers for the pope are important. Here’s a great prayer for those undergoing surgery:
PRAYER TO ST. LUKE FOR A SAFE SURGERY
O blessed Saint Luke, fondly invoked as the Beloved Physician and a follower of Christ, you devoted your life to the healing and care of those who were sick and suffering. We come before you now, asking for your intercession on behalf of those preparing for surgery, in particular Pope Leo XIV.
We pray for those who will be undergoing surgery that they may be filled with courage, strength, and peace of mind. We humbly pray that you direct the hands of the medical staff who will be executing the treatment and fill them with your knowledge, expertise, and compassion.
We also offer prayers for the loved ones and families of those getting ready for surgery. In this time of doubt and anxiety, may they find consolation and support and draw courage from their faith and the love of those around them.
We ask that you watch over those recovering from surgery so that they may experience a swift and complete recovery. May they continually put their faith in God's care and providence, and may they be filled with gratitude for the gift of life and the benefits of medical treatment.
Saint Luke lead us all on the paths of love, compassion, and selfless service. May we constantly be led by Christ's light as we dedicate our lives to the healing and caring of the sick and suffering. May we follow your wonderful example. Amen.
Saint Luke, pray for us.
Here’s the Pillar’s commentary, press the title:
5 comments:
Do HIPPA laws apply to individuals who are not bound to maintain one's medical privacy?
So-called "first amendment auditors" via youtube, for example, video inside medical facilities. Time and again, said folks note that medical personnel, not "private citizens," are not bound by HIPPA laws.
AI Overview:
"Covered entities have the primary responsibility for complying with HIPAA regulations to protect patient health information.
Who Is a Covered Entity?
Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), covered entities fall into three main categories:
• Healthcare providers: Doctors, clinics, psychologists, dentists, chiropractors, nursing homes, and pharmacies that transmit health information electronically in connection with standard transactions (such as billing insurance).
• Health plans: Health insurance companies, HMOs, company health plans, and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
• Healthcare clearinghouses: Entities that process nonstandard health information they receive from another entity into a standard format (or vice versa).
AI Overview:
"No, public speculation about Pope Leo XIV’s medical situation does not violate U.S. HIPAA laws.
"Even though Pope Leo XIV is a U.S. citizen by birth, HIPAA regulations do not apply to the general public, news media, or commentators discussing a public figure's health."
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Correction:
I had written:
"Time and again, said folks note that medical personnel, not "private citizens," are not bound by HIPPA laws."
I had meant...
"Time and again, said folks note that medical personnel, not "private citizens," are bound by HIPPA laws."
Pax.
Mark Thomas
You should ask AI how to identify and appreciate sarcasm.
I don't think HIPPA (sic) laws apply outside the USA. I do agree the article was very speculative.
HIPPA applies only in the US and its territories. What is interesting about privacy laws like this, is that the people who have the health issue frequently go to social media and blab about themselves anyway! To some extent, HIPPA was unnecessary since most States had similar provisions about privacy on the books for some time.
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