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a - b - c - d - e - f - g - h - i - j - k - l - m - n - o - p - q - r - s - t - u - v - w - x - y - z Insurance giants asked to scan files for terrorism suspects Associated Press DETROIT - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Aetna have scoured the records of millions of patients, employees and health care providers in search of terrorists. Company representatives said Blue Cross Blue Shield has checked 6 million Michigan files and Aetna has checked 13 million nationwide, including 18,000 in Michigan, The Detroit News reported Sunday. The insurers said they were required by the U.S. government to search their massive databases. "I wouldn't say we were asked. We are legally obligated to look to see whether we are somehow receiving any transaction of goods and services" from a suspected terrorist, said Blues spokeswoman Helen Stojic. The government, however, says it only demands that companies don't do business with terrorists. Some customers, public policy experts and civil libertarians say health care insurers shouldn't conduct the investigations. "It's kind of disgusting," said Virginia Rezmierski, an adjunct associate professor in the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and School of Information at the University of Michigan. "At what point did Blue Cross Blue Shield become an arm of the government, as opposed to a service provider for people?" Since last spring, the Blues' computers have spit out the names of about 6,000 Michigan residents who matched names, addresses or other keywords on the federal government's list of terror suspects. A more extensive computer probe showed none was a terrorist suspect. Fred Laberge, Aetna's assistant vice president for corporate relations, said his company also found no terrorists, but he declined to say how many false positives registered. He said Aetna's search was less detailed than those conducted by the Blues, but would not elaborate. The Blues' computer checks will continue monthly for new subscribers, employees and health care providers. Blues subscriber Kimm Cristodero, 46, a receptionist at a doctor's office, said health care companies should stay out of government inquiries into terrorist activities. The government has enough tools to fight terrorism without involving private businesses, she said. "I'm all for fighting terrorism, but the government already has all kinds of secretive laws to work with," said Cristodero, who lives in Warren. "Why would the health care industry get involved?" The names of the 6,000 Michiganians popped out of the Blues computers because their files matched one or more keywords in the government's terrorist list: names, hostile nations, even the names of passenger ships on which the subscriber traveled. For example, the insurance company said, a person who lived on Lebanon Street might show up as a potential terrorist. Suspicious names were then further investigated by employees to determine whether there was a true match. Although several other health care providers do not run these checks, it is not uncommon for financial institutions to do so. President Bush in 2001 signed an executive order that companies not allow money laundering through legitimate businesses. But Barry Steinhardt, the national director of the technology and liberty program for the American Civil Liberties Union, said people don't buy health insurance to launder money. "This appears to be another case of a company that is invading the privacy of its customers in a zeal to participate in the homeland security effort," he said. a - b - c - d - e - f - g - h - i - j - k - l - m - n - o - p - q - r - s - t - u - v - w - x - y - z Business  Site Stock Exchange Opera Company Philadelphia Forums Community Directory Businesses                  Featured Link: TechPhilly.com is a computer tech support company that serves the Philadelphia area and also offers other services such as: Web Design & Hosting, Networking, Data Recovery, and PC Repair.

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