House Approves Legislation to Prevent Genetic Discrimination

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -- The House of Representatives passed legislation today to protect personal genetic information from discriminatory use by health insurers and employers. 

By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 420-3, the House approved the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 (H.R. 493), introduced in January by U.S. Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Judy Biggert (R-IL). The legislation sets strict guidelines to safeguard personal genetic information held by employers and insurers.

"With this vote, we are a big step closer to guaranteeing all Americans that their own personal genetic information will never be used to deny them a job, a promotion, or health insurance," said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee.

Nearly 20 years ago, scientists working on the Human Genome Project began identifying the specific chromosomes within genes that make up the human body. Once scientists understood these genetic building blocks, they developed - and continue to develop - tests that can identify specific genes that may trigger disease later in life. But many Americans report that they forgo this testing because they fear losing their jobs or their health insurance.  

"Americans' private genetic information must be protected from discriminatory use by employers and health insurance companies," said Miller. "Further scientific advances in genetic research will be stifled if individuals fear the loss of their job or health insurance."

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 would prohibit employers from using individuals' genetic information when making hiring, firing, job placement or promotion decisions. It would also make it illegal for group health plans and health insurers to deny coverage to healthy individuals or charge them higher premiums based solely on a genetic predisposition to a specific disease. Currently, 41 states have passed laws to prohibit discrimination in the individual health insurance market and 34 states ban genetic discrimination in the workplace.

Similar legislation has also been approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. President Bush has also indicated his support.

To read Miller's floor statement about the legislation, click here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
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