Providing for Consideration of Senate Amendment to H.R. 493, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

Floor Speech

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and I would like to thank the chairwoman of the Rules Committee, Chairwoman LOUISE SLAUGHTER, for her leadership, for her perseverance in moving this critical legislation. She has been fighting for the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act for over 13 years. So we will herald her leadership today on behalf of American families and all hardworking folks across this country.

I am fortunate to serve on the Committee on Rules under her leadership. The folks across this country should be very proud that we have such a dedicated chairwoman leading the committee in the people's House. I'd also like to salute Congresswoman JUDY BIGGERT for her participation and perseverance as well in moving this legislation and fighting for it for so many years.

Madam Speaker, this New Direction Congress already has done a great deal to strengthen antidiscrimination efforts for our Nation this year, such as legislation that outlaws inequities in medical coverage for mental health care. Today, we will end another form of discrimination in the workplace and by health insurance companies.

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act protects our neighbors from being denied health coverage or being hired or keeping a job based upon their God-given personal genetic traits. In my district in Tampa, Florida, the University of South Florida Regional Genetics Program has been doing great work in genetics research. Now they can do so much more. People will be more willing to participate in genetics research. The testing, the genetic counseling for families with genetic conditions, now they will not be so afraid and hiding because they fear they would be discriminated against if someone learned that they might have an inclination for breast cancer or diabetes or some other disease.

The scientific research opportunities are endless, and under this bill people will be protected and employers will not be able to request or purchase genetic information about employees or their families. Any information found indirectly may not be used against an employee or disclosed. Further, this legislation would outlaw health insurance companies' ability to cancel, deny, or change the terms of individual plans based upon their genetic background.

This is a civil rights issue and a privacy issue, and this legislation is an absolute necessity to provide protection for Americans in the workplace and within their health coverage. The cost of health care in America is burdensome enough without an added concern that coverage may be unethically jeopardized based on genetic information.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bill and again salute the leadership of Chairwoman LOUISE SLAUGHTER and Congresswoman JUDY BIGGERT.

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