Hey England, how is that online database of everyone's medical records working out?

While patients supposedly have the choice to opt out of having their medical records in the database, it seems that isn't exactly the case.

Governments are always pushing to collect all kinds of information on people and put it in databases. I understand why - because knowledge is power. They may not have plans yet about what they intend to do with the information, but if the government has information on people it will use it against them.

Governments also sometimes try to make it more palatable to their subjects by claiming that they can "opt out" of the system. Usually through some complex method that is not advertised to the public.

This sounds familiar:

Hamish Meldrum, its (it being the British Medical Association) chairman, writes: "The breakneck speed with which this programme is being implemented is of huge concern.

My thought is that if you really want your medical records or any other personal information stored in some government database that you should have to go out of your way to make the request.