Today, I started a new position with a non-profit human service organization in NYC. A very large, very old, very respected one.

Not that the size and age are relevant to anything; it's JIC you can read between the lines.

So, I'm sitting in the orientation and HIPPA is the topic. The presenter, after glossing a variety of subtopics, mentions something vague about "...the people..." who will be taking information via phone from potential subscribers. She further mumbles something about the PHI (Protected Health Information) facet of HIPPA, and how "...the people..." taking the information were, according to (wait for it) Fox not subject to background checks...implying, in her narrative, that identity theft was possible and reiterates the 'be careful with PHI!' adjuration.

I'm sitting there, listening, trying to get a handle on what she was saying, and it just made no sense; although the word Fox did make my head ring.

Then I get home, the "Oh nose! haxors in my data stealing my lolcats!" subtopic forgotten.

Then I saw this at TPM. The upshot: everyday people, doing an everyday job in Human Services (caring for other people) are now likely to be identity thieves; or, best case scenario, merely painted with the black brush of shame we use for felons. But don't worry, Planned Parenthood workers: it'll wash off.

On the other hand, if one lives in NYC and one wants to take a gander at the organizations employing these (possible!) felons (and make sure no hanky-panky nor funny business nor gambling is occurring) one might surf to here, download the PDF of organizations, and see for one's self.