Victory for
HR 493, the Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act
(GINA) (as of 3:02 pm
EST Apr 24, 2008)
HR 493, the Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act
(GINA) passed in the House 420 to 3
and today unanimously passed the
Senate in a vote of 95 to 0. The
bill,
H.R.493
prohibits discrimination on the
basis of genetic information with
respect to health insurance and
employment. The bill provisions:
-
Prohibits employers and insurers
from discriminating based on
genetic information
-
Insurers may not deny coverage
or raise premiums based on
genetic information
-
Forbids discrimination against
anyone based on personal or
familial genetic information
-
Prohibits labor organizations
from denying membership based on
genetic information
-
Prohibits the disclosure or
purchase of genetic information
by health plans and insurers.
This
legislation will now go to the
President who has stated he will
sign it and therefore become law.
This
legislation was first introduced
back in 1997. The HHT Foundation
has signed onto every petition and
letter recommending the passage of
this bill. This is a monumental
accomplishment and a huge
accomplishment for all HHT families!