Under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, group health plans or issuers of individual health care policies would be barred from basing eligibility determinations or adjusting premiums or contributions on the basis of genetic information. The bill also stops health plans and insurance companies from requesting, requiring or purchasing the findings of genetic tests and from disclosing genetic information.
Furthermore, the bill prohibits employers from firing, refusing to hire or otherwise discriminating against workers with respect to compensation and other terms of employment on the basis of genetic information. Employers as well would not be allowed to request, require or purchase genetic information.
The bill’s Senate sponsors say it expects the House to echo “identical language in the very near future.” President Bush has given indications that he will approve the bill.