[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1594-S1595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, in a few moments, the Senate will pass the 
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. When this legislation 
becomes the law of the land, it will prevent health insurers from 
denying coverage to healthy individuals, or charging higher premiums 
based on genetic information. It will also prohibit employers from 
using genetic information when making hiring, firing, job placement, or 
job promotion decisions.
  I thanked them earlier this morning, but once again I thank Senator 
Olympia Snowe, the lead sponsor of this legislation, and one of its 
leading champions over the years, as well as Senator Mike Enzi, Senator 
Kennedy, and Senator Judd Gregg. So many people have been involved over 
the last 7 years on this legislation. I am gratified we are on the cusp 
of seeing it pass in the Senate and look forward to working with the 
House of Representatives to have it pass as soon as possible there, so 
we can get it to the President of the United States.
  I think it is a model demonstration of how we are leading today on 
tomorrow's problems, problems we know increase over time.
  Just 2 years ego, the Human Genome Project completed the sequencing 
of the human genome one year ahead of schedule. With this historic 
achievement, the pace of scientific discovery has accelerated. The 
coming years will bring a wave of new genetics-based treatments and 
more powerful predictive tests for maladies like cancer, Alzheimer's, 
and heart disease.
  Late last year, for example, the FDA approved a new test that helps 
doctors determine the most effective medications for treating a 
particular patient's case of everything from heart disease to cancer. 
Other new measures can detect genes that can spare women with breast 
cancer the need to undergo chemotherapy and affect an individual's 
chances of developing lung cancer. When science detects these genetic 
sequences, doctors and patients can do a great deal to preempt and 
prevent the conditions they can cause.
  However, the information might also be used to harm. If people run a 
risk of losing jobs, promotions, or insurance policies on the basis of 
their genes, many will avoid getting tested and learning about them.
  By acting now, we are averting widespread discrimination before it 
happens--before health insurers are tempted to use powerful new gene 
technology to decide who gets coverage and who does not.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Genetics Information Non-
Discrimination Act.
  Congess should be forward thinking in the policies we set, instead of 
waiting until catastrophe looms. This is not a political or partisan 
issue. It is a matter of civil rights.
  In the past, Congress has acted to protect the civil rights of its 
citizens, most notably through the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 
Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Health Insurance Portability 
and Accountability Act.
  Today, we take another critical step forward to protect individuals 
from the threat of discrimination based on their genes by building on 
those time-tested laws. The Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act 
is comprehensive, reasonable and fair. It is both practical and 
forward-looking.
  Once again, I want to recognize the leadership of Senator Snowe and 
Senator Enzi and the broad bipartisan coalition that has finally 
brought us to this day. I look forward to working with my colleagues in 
the House to send this to the President' desk for his signature.
  Mr. President, does the Senator from Massachusetts wish to say 
anything quickly?

[[Page S1595]]

  Mr. KENNEDY. Just for 30 seconds, Mr. President.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, at the outset, I see my chairman, Senator 
Enzi, who has taken the chair of our committee. I commended him for 
bringing this legislation up, and I say to you, Mr. Leader, we thank 
you for your willingness to schedule this legislation. It is of 
enormous importance. We have had a good debate and discussion about all 
of the concerns families are faced with without this kind of 
protection. We thank you very much, and Senator Reid, for getting this 
legislation up and giving us a chance to express the Senate view on 
this matter.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

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