Snowe introduces bill to fight genetic discrimination

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, introduced a new version of her bill Wednesday to provide protections to Americans from potential discrimination on the basis of genetic information.

The legislation, introduced in the past three Congresses to prevent discrimination by health insurers and protect consumer confidentiality, for the first time also will provide privacy assurances and protections against discrimination by employers, as well.

“Americans should not live in fear of knowing the truth about their genetics or health status. They should not be afraid that critical information about their health could be misused,” Snowe said in a prepared statement.

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2002 would prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information in health insurance and would prohibit discrimination against employees on the basis of genetic information. It also would protect the privacy of employees’ genetic information.

The legislation prohibits insurers from using genetic information about enrollees or their family members to adjust premium or contribution amounts. It also requires health insurers to comply with existing medical privacy regulations governing the use and disclosure of “individually identifiable health information,” including genetic information. And it prohibits insurers from requiring or requesting genetic information as a condition of coverage.

This bill also would strictly prohibit the use of genetic information in employment decisions and extends to employers, unions, employment agencies and training programs.

Snowe was joined in introducing the legislation by several senators, including fellow Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins.