House Approves Bill to Prevent Discrimination against Workers Based on their Personal Genetic Information 

Thursday, May 1, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation today to prevent health insurers and employers from using Americans’ personal genetic information to discriminate against them.

By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 414 to 1, the House approved the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (H.R. 493), introduced 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.

“As genetic testing becomes more widely available, they hold the potential of longer lives, free of debilitating disease. But many Americans say they forgo testing because they fear losing their jobs or their health insurance,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee. “The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act will ensure that Americans’ personal genetic information will be protected and will not be used for discriminatory purposes.” 

“Today’s passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act proves there is consensus in the country that no person should be told they are going to not get hired, fired, demoted or even lose their health insurance coverage if they don't agree to a genetic test,” said Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions. “Due to the exceptional bi-partisan partnership of Congresswomen Slaughter and Biggert, Americans have been provided with an important civil right, which will not only uphold the privacy of their genetic information, but will further help scientists and doctors find cures for an array of diseases that may affect our lives, and our loved ones.”

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prohibits 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.

Twenty 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.

Currently, 41 states have passed laws to prohibit discrimination in the individual health insurance market and 34 states ban genetic discrimination in the workplace.

The bill now goes to President Bush, who has indicated his support, for his signature.

###

FOR PRESS INQUIRIES
Contact: Aaron Albright / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853