>>It blows me away when I hear people say that information like that should be PRIVATE.
>>How can it possibly hurt society to have that knowledge in the public domain?

You can make that choice to publish your medical history if you wish. But your preference should not override the wishes of others who might prefer for their gynecological, impotence, plastic surgical, injury or psychiatric history, along with contact, insurance and payment details, to remain private. If somebody had a few too many and was assaulted, surely they have a right to decide whether they want the details broadcast. If you're a famous CEO or politician, the sordid details of your son's sudden admission, ought not to be trumpeted to embarrass you just because of who you are. Besides, PHI isn't just the innocuous pill you take: it's your total record including things you might not even remember that you shared with your caregiver. A default state of privacy is in society's best interests, I think, for physicians, therapists, lawyers, priests and similar.