The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday passed the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act. The bill, known as GINA, would prohibit improper use of genetic information in hiring and health insurance decisions.
Author of the bill Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) first introduced GINA in the House 12 years ago. In her remarks on the House floor today, Slaughter said that with the rapid advances in scientific research in those 12 years, the need for such legislation has grown exponentially.
After the bill’s passage, Slaughter said in a statement: "I am extremely pleased to see this historic bill pass the House of Representatives with such overwhelming support. …GINA will do more than stamp out a new form of discrimination. It will also help our country to be a leader in a field of scientific research that holds as much promise as any other in history.”
GINA makes it illegal for group health plans and health insurers to deny coverage to a healthy individual or charge him or her higher premiums based solely on a genetic predisposition to a specific disease. The legislation also bars employers from using individuals' genetic information when making hiring, firing, job placement or promotion decisions.
Genetic non-discrimination enjoys broad support from the public and healthcare professionals. Over 200 health, medical, and scientific organizations have endorsed GINA. It also has bipartisan support, with over 220 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.
The bill now goes to the Senate, which has passed it twice in recent years. If passed again by the Senate, GINA will likely be signed into law by President Bush, who has already expressed his support for legislation to prevent genetic discrimination.