Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 07, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008

* Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, H.R. 493.

* I am a cosponsor of this important legislation, which bans genetic discrimination in the workplace and in health insurance on the basis of predictive genetic information. It prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums because of genetic factors. Also, under this bill, employers cannot consider genetic factors in the process of hiring, firing, or promoting workers.

* H.R. 493 is similar to Minnesota law, which I voted for when I was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Minnesota law sets basic privacy protections for the collection of genetic information by Government agencies and private entities. Unfortunately, not all States offer protection against genetic discrimination. This leaves most Americans unsure of how their private information will be protected. National legislation needs to be implemented now, before genetic discrimination becomes more widespread as genetic testing comes into greater use.

* Discrimination based on a person's genetic information, just like that based on race or disability, should not be tolerated. Genetic discrimination has the potential to affect every person in the United States. Despite advances in modern medical technology, it is impossible to predict with certainty whether a given individual will actually develop a disease. Patients recognize that few laws exist to prevent health insurers or employers from using their predictive genetic information to deny them coverage or jobs. As a result, fear of such discrimination could cause individuals to refuse potentially life-saving testing or participate in genetic research.

* Federal employees are already protected from genetic discrimination by an executive order signed by President Clinton. It is time to extend this protection to the rest of our country.

* H.R. 493 will give Americans the security they need to take care of their health needs without worrying that they will face discrimination. This bill has been pending for over 13 years now. Under Republican control there were no hearings on this important topic. Within one year of Democrats taking control of the House this bill was passed, and is now on its way to the President's desk.

* This bill is the right thing to do to protect access to health care and against genetic discrimination in the workplace. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

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