“Do No Harm”

Friday, May 20, 2016

My husband died in May of liver disease.  I met with a minister the day before the funeral and told him I did not want my husband's condition mentioned during the service.  The next day, during the funeral service, this preacher said, "If this man had not had a HABIT, he would still be alive".  I was horrified.  Was this preacher breaking the Patient Privacy Rules/HIPAA??

Sincerely,
Grieving Widow

Dear Grieving Widow,

Preachers are not governed by Patient Privacy Rules/HIPAA – they are not medical professionals.  We are very sorry for your loss and to hear that your husband’s funeral turned out to be such a stressful and painful event.  If the preacher promised not to mention your husband’s addiction, then he lied – that is wrong.  We must always tell the truth (1 Jn 2:21).

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