House Vote on Genetic Information Bill Likely This Month

category: MyDocHub,Nutrition & Wellness
by Priscilla,

According to Kevin Aschenbrenner with Jaffe Associates (aschk@jaffeassociates.com), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Bill that prohibits insurers and employers from requiring people to submit to genetic testing and from using genetic information to deny insurance or employment, will likely come up for a vote in the House this month.

“A wide range of organizations have expressed support for the bill, including consumer groups, the medical profession, researchers, the medical products industry and the Bush Administration. While supportive of its overall objective, business groups including the influential U.S. Chamber of Commerce have raised concerns regarding the breadth of some of the bill’s provisions, saying they could lead to frivolous lawsuits,” says Cindi Berry, chair of the Government Relations Practice Group at Powell Goldstein LLP (Washington) and counsel to the healthcare industry.

Berry, who also serves on the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society, notes those with concerns are negotiating with other stakeholders and committee staff to resolve these issues. “America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) also continues to meet with Congressional staff in an attempt to resolve technical issues and refine the scope of the legislation. In a House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on March 8, a witness testifying on behalf of AHIP said the House bill could limit consumer access to life-saving treatments because it prohibits health insurance plans from requesting or requiring an individual or a family member of an individual to undergo a genetic test. He added that the legislation would prevent health insurance plans from continuing to use genetic tests to promote preventative screening and disease management programs.” Berry notes the bill is considered a top legislative priority and will likely pass by a wide margin. The President has promised to sign it if and when it reaches his desk.

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Medical Insurance » Medical Insurance April 24, 2007 1:20 pm | 24 April 2007, 12:21
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