6:45 a.m., Friday of the Seattle Meeting this past June. I'm still in my room at the Sheraton, trying to grab some coffee. My cell phone is ringing. “Hi, I'm Miles Moffeit with The Denver Post. I'm working on a story regarding a former Air Force cadet rape case and her therapist. I was wondering if you have someone with whom I might speak regarding the confidentiality of therapists' records.”
Another testimony to the power of the Internet and what an invaluable tool it is, especially for smaller organizations such as APsaA. This reporter, in researching medical privacy online, had come upon apsa.org, a part of the Public Information section of APsaA's Web site, as well as several related articles in TAP.
“Yes, we have several experts who can be valuable resources for your reporting,” I replied. “Let me get your e-mail address, and I'll send you the contact names and phone numbers.”
I ran down to the meeting headquarters, jumped online, and sent Moffeit the contact information for Jim Pyles, APsaA's legislative lobbyist, and that of Bob Pyles, chair of the Committee on Government Relations. I made sure Moffeit knew that Jim was en route back to Washington and wouldn't be picking up his cell phone messages for several more hours.
The result? Moffeit connected with both and ended up quoting Jim Pyles in his article as well as mentioning APsaA
Pyles commented: “I spoke with Moffeit several times, reviewed the brief on behalf of the psychotherapist, and sent the reporter and the attorney for the social worker who was the target of the subpoena citations to case law and suggestions for opposing the discovery request.”
In addition, Pyles also forwarded this brief and his suggestions to the National Association for Social Workers. He said, “I believe this is another example of how APsaA can work with other mental health associations to protect the right to mental health privacy. This also illustrates how APsaA, as in the abortion records cases last year, can serve as a resource for others who are defending their rights to medical privacy.”
Coffee? What coffee? Who needs caffeine when our Web site has led a respected investigative reporter from a major daily to seek the expertise of our Association.