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From: chang@lupus.org
To: parfumgigi@aol.com
Sent: 5/6/2008 12:50:01 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: US Congress Passes the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

 

US Congress Passes the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, HR 493, passed the Senate by a vote of 95-0 on April 24th and passed the House on May 1, 2008 by a vote of 414-1. The bill introduced by Representative Louise M. Slaughter, would prevent discrimination based on genetic information. Representative Slaughter said she has been trying to get similar legislation passed for six terms of Congress. The bill would prohibit employers from using genetic screening results in hiring, assignment or promotion decisions. Health insurers would not be able to use the information to deny coverage or set higher premiums for patients with increased genetic predisposition to a disease. Studies have shown that people fear that their DNA results might be used against them and therefore some people forgo genetic tests that could tell them whether they are susceptible to certain diseases. HR 493 is a positive step to help ease these fears and allow people to get the tests that they need. HR 493 has been sent to President Bush and he is expected to sign the bill into law.

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