Genetic Discrimination Bill

The Senate on Thursday passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, with 95 vote for, and 0 against. This act will protect people who learn through genetic testing that they might be susceptible to devastating diseases from losing their jobs and health insurance.

The bill bars health insurance companies from using genetic testing information to set premiums or determine enrollment eligibility. However, it does not prevent them from using the actual diseases to set premiums or determine enrollment.

This is wonderful news for individuals with Factor V Leiden. In our support group, we have already had a few members be denied health insurance because they tested positive for FVL. And many members have opted not to have their children tested because of such fears. And the fears are legitimate. Not only are they worried they will be denied health coverage, like some members have had happen, but that employers will also use the testing to discriminate in hiring. A Texas railroad has already done this in the hopes of shirking responsibility for employees who complained of carpal tunnel syndrome.

This bill has been passed twice before, once in 2003 and once in 2005, but both times it was stalled in the House. Its also seen its share of hostility in the Senate.

Hopefully our respectable representatives will be more for the working class American and less dictated by the powerful insurance lobbyists this time around. But sadly, I know where I'd put my money if I was a gambling man.