Genetic Discrimination Bill Would Increase Insurance Access, CBO Report Finds
April 19, 2007 – 7:50 pm | posted in Genetics, Health InsuranceA 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).
The CBO report is available online.
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