M. Patients; discussions on individual patients.

Meetings of governmental bodies may be closed to discuss the physical condition or mental health of individuals. Ala. Code § 36-25A-7(a)(1) (Supp. 2005). Also, records that contain patient information are confidential under the physician-patient privilege, see Horne v. Patton, 291 Ala. 701, 708-09, 287 So. 2d 824, 829-30 (1973), and state statute, see, e.g., Ala. Code § 22-21-8(b) (1997); therefore, public officials who receive this sensitive information will likely avoid discussion in an open meeting in such a way that confidentiality would be breached.