Critics of former President Donald Trump's administration found new depths in its corruption upon revelations covered in a joint House committee investigation.
Their report found that, as President, Trump empowered three wealthy allies—Ike Perlmutter, Marc Sherman, and Dr. Bruce Moskowitz—as "advisers" to interfere with operations at Veterans Affairs in pursuit of their own interests. Trump vowed at the time in 2017 that, despite having no Military experience, the trio would "straighten out the VA".
Most shockingly, the trio—on behalf of the federal government—proposed monetizing VA patient data and selling it to corporations like Johnson and Johnson, CVS, and Apple. What's more, the report details that both Trump and his son-in-law (and senior advisor), Jared Kushner, knew of the talks.
After an update on the plan from Perlmutter, Kushner responded:
"Great — he [Trump] is excited for your dinner together!"
Documents also revealed that Moskowitz exploited his position to pressure the VA to expand its role in a medical device federal registry that Moskowitz's nonprofit was promoting at the time.
The report concluded:
"Our joint investigation found that Ike Perlmutter, Marc Sherman, and Dr. Bruce Moskowitz, bolstered by their connection to President Trump's private Mar-a-Lago club, violated the law and sought to exert improper influence over government officials to further their own personal interests."
House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney of New York cited the report in calling for the passage of her bill, the Federal Advisory Committee Transparency Act.
Social media users were disturbed at the corruption Trump's administration sicced upon the VA.
So Trump and his wealthy buddies were ready to run off with and SELL all the VA patient data. How much more of this rapacious mobster do we have to endure??https://twitter.com/propublica/status/1442546513259999232\u00a0\u2026— Bob Sinclair \ud83d\udc99 (@Bob Sinclair \ud83d\udc99) 1632849892
Swamphttps://twitter.com/propublica/status/1442546513259999232\u00a0\u2026— Tim Wycoff (@Tim Wycoff) 1632847590
Nothing was sacredhttps://twitter.com/propublica/status/1442546513259999232\u00a0\u2026— StephDilla (@StephDilla) 1632838930
"Patriots" https://twitter.com/propublica/status/1442546513259999232\u00a0\u2026— Almost Kevin \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \ud83d\udc4d (@Almost Kevin \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \ud83d\udc4d) 1632839340
Because of course https://twitter.com/propublica/status/1442546513259999232\u00a0\u2026— Jazzmom Wants Indictments (@Jazzmom Wants Indictments) 1632809909
As if there weren't enough awful things from Trump, now we learn this.https://twitter.com/propublica/status/1442546513259999232\u00a0\u2026— Lynn Attison \ud83d\ude3b\u2764\u270c\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Lynn Attison \ud83d\ude3b\u2764\u270c\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1632813496
Every time you think Trump and his leeches couldn\u2019t get any lower, you find out some new horrible thing they were either planning or doing.https://twitter.com/propublica/status/1442546513259999232\u00a0\u2026— Marcy McBotski (@Marcy McBotski) 1632810149
In their opposition to vaccine passports, Trump's supporters often falsely claim that businesses asking for vaccines counts as a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In reality, HIPAA only prohibits doctors and healthcare providers from disclosing their patients' medical records without consent. It doesn't forbid private businesses from asking an individual to voluntarily disclose their vaccinations.
Many said the Trump administration's efforts to monetize the medical records of veterans was, in fact, an actual HIPAA violation.
This is a HIPAA violation https://twitter.com/propublica/status/1442546513259999232\u00a0\u2026— Cheryl Ann (@Cheryl Ann) 1632837945
Wasn't it the Trumpers who were screaming recently (and incorrectly) about their HIPPA rights being violated? Medical data privacy is crucial and Trump is the guy the industry trade organization HIMSS invited to be a keynote speaker at their annual conference in 2020? https://t.co/apmNuuCkJn
— Chris (@Chris_nDC) September 28, 2021
But, what about #HIPAA ... ;?https://twitter.com/propublica/status/1442546513259999232\u00a0\u2026— UBetNot (@UBetNot) 1632806387
The HIPAA-crosy never ends.
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