by TChris

Keith Emerich told the doctor who was treating him for an irregular heartbeat that he drinks a six-pack a day. The doctor, apparently complying with a Pennsylvania law that "requires doctors to report any physical or mental impairments in patients that could compromise their ability to drive safely," told the Department of Transportation that Emerich has a substance abuse problem. The DOT responded by yanking Emerich's driver's license until Emerich can prove he's competent to drive.

Emerich has had a clean driving record for 23 years. He denies that he ever drinks and drives.

"What I do in the privacy of my own home is none of PennDOT's business," he said. ... "They want me to go to counseling to prove that I'm OK," Emerich said. "I tried to go to a place ... and they wanted $250 for a three-month program."

The physician-patient privilege is meant to encourage open communication between patients and their doctors. Requiring a doctor to breach that privilege by reporting a drinking problem to DOT can only discourage patients from being honest with their doctors.