Senate votes to ban insurers from discriminating based on DNA

[antigop]

Source: Yahoo News-- Associated Press

The Senate has passed legislation that prohibits health insurance companies and employers from discriminating against people based on the results of genetic testing.

The 95-0 vote sends the bill back to the House for a final vote early next week. President Bush supports the legislation.

DNA testing can show some people to be at greater risk of cancer or other serious illnesses. The bill bars health insurance companies from using such information to set premiums or determine eligibility. Employers couldn't use that information for hiring and firing decisions.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080424/ap_on_go_co/genetic_discrimination

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OK, the vote was 95-0. Seem a little odd?

I'm wondering if this legislation really means anything.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

1. I'm wondering why it was deemed necessary.

:scared:

[antigop]

2. well for sure the info would be used against us. n/t

[Donnachaidh]

My son has a genetic disorder that makes him virtually uninsurable the way things are now

But we've been able to include him in our family insurance.

If the insurance companies were allowed to use our genetics in their decisions, he and any future children he has would be totally locked out of getting any sort of insurance in the future.

This is one thing they've done RIGHT. I'm stunned - I really am!

[pnwmom]

11. It is WONDERFUL news! I am so happy for your family.

The naysayers here really don't know what they're talking about.

[Karenina]

7. It's unenforcable.

But makes them look "good."

[pnwmom]

9. What do you mean by that?

I know that the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, among others, has been pushing for this bill for years. They don't think it's unenforceable, and they think it will help a lot to advance research in the field -- because without this sort of protection, family members are reluctant to get themselves tested.

[antigop]

18. ...and the penalty for violations is.......???????? n/t

[pnwmom]

8. Because it happens every day.

And it is hindering research into genetically transmitted disease, because people are afraid to be tested for genetically transmitted diseases (and therefore identified as potential sufferers in the future).

[tavalon]

19. Because they would use it just the way they are using every other thing they can find

to make their insured pools as clean as possible. Better profits that way. This behavior on the part of the insurers is reason number 4,000 for why we need universal healthcare, not universal insurance. They will find a way to exclude. They always do.

[TomInTib]

3. Has this been flying under the radar or what?

I wasn't aware that anything like this was moving through either house of Congress.

But, then, I am pretty much Chronically Unaware anyway.

[Mojorabbit]

4. The insurance companies

will just give another reason to avoid being popped for cherry picking for genetic diseases. I can't see how this will affect anything.

[antigop]

6. I think you are correct...and it will be pretty darned near impossible for someone to prove

discrimination.

Just like age discrimination...they fire you based on your salary, not your age. Very difficult to bring an age discrimination charge and win.

imo

[pnwmom]

13. The people who are most affected by this disagree with you.

For example, the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation has been fighting for this bill for ten years. They think it will mean a giant step forward in their research, because family members will be less reluctant to participate.

[glowing]

5. I would think that this may actually effect them? Perhaps?

[pnwmom]

10. AT LAST. This legislation is VITAL and long past due. Here is more info, from

the Polycystic Kidney Disease foundation.

http://www.pkdcure.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grpriority2

SNIP

Passing this legislation is vitally important to the current and future health, productivity, life expectancy and peace of mind for millions of Americans who have life-threatening genetic diseases like PKD or the potential to develop such diseases. There are approximately 2,000 rare and genetic conditions affecting at least 14 million people in the United States.

The fear of genetic discrimination keeps many individuals at risk for PKD from testing for the presence of the disease, and it prevents many who know they have the disease from accessing the very treatments that could prolong their kidney function. In addition, current and future clinical trials will have problems recruiting critical volunteers because of the unwillingness to go public with their PKD status. These patients fear losing their health insurance or missing out on promotions, partnership opportunities, pay raises, increased work responsibilities and other employment enhancement options.

Additional Background
Are you a victim of genetic discrimination? Read more about actions you can take.

Read what current law says about genetic discrimination.

[mainegreen]

12. Good. Something we all agree on. n/t

[Phred42]

14. IF you beleive Insurance Compnays will go along - I have this bridge......

[biermeister]

15. imagine if the 4th amendment applied

to your body (fluids) or the 5th (no self impeachment) wow!

oh that's right,we burned that "god damned piece of paper" sorry

[pnwmom]

16. Ted Kennedy strongly supported this bill and he thinks it will be important.

And yes, like every civil rights bill, it will have to be enforced. Does that mean these bills aren't worth passing?

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-genes25apr25,0,7676105.story

Until recently, genetic tests were used mainly for rare conditions. But there are currently more than 1,200 diseases for which genetic tests are available in medical laboratories, and that number is expected to grow as scientists devise new tests for common conditions such as diabetes.

"It's the first civil rights bill of the new century of life sciences," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.). "We made sure today that our laws reflect the advances we are making. The promise of new science will be inadequate if our laws fail to contain the right protections that genetic information will not be abused or misused."

[antigop]

17. I know --- and the vote was 95-0 -- should tell you something. n/t

[sutz12]

20. Insurance has become pretty much like a mafiosi protection racket.

We need a better way. :shrug: