Genetic Discrimination Bill Would Increase Insurance Access, CBO Report Finds

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Genetic Discrimination Bill Would Increase Insurance Access, CBO

Report Finds

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=68126

A bill (HR 493) that would ban discrimination against U.S. residents

based on the results of genetic tests would allow 600 more residents

to obtain access to health insurance, according to report recently

released by the Congressional Budget Office, CQ HealthBeat reports.

The report also estimates that the legislation would cost the

federal government less than $500,000 annually from 2008 through

2017 (Spieler, CQ HealthBeat, 4/13). Under the bill, employers could

not make decisions about whether to hire potential employees or fire

or promote employees based on the results of genetic tests. In

addition, health insurers could not deny coverage to potential

members or charge higher premiums to members based on the results of

genetic tests (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 3/26). The HHS

secretary, as well as the Department of Labor and Department of the

Treasury secretaries, would have to enforce regulations issued to

implement the provisions in the legislation. The House Education and

Labor Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the

House Ways and Means Committee have approved the bill, which moves

to the House Rules Committee for reconciliation of the revisions to

the legislation made by each of the committees. The Senate Health,

Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has approved a companion

bill (S 358) (CQ HealthBeat, 4/13).