[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7474]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




H.R. 493, TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENETIC INFORMATION WITH 
               RESPECT TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2008

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 493, 
to prohibit discrimination based on genetic information with respect to 
health insurance and employment. Thanks to breakthroughs in science we 
are able to genetically test for potential health problems. This is 
information about ``potential'' health problems that an individual can 
use to reduce the likelihood of contracting an illness.
  Awareness of potential health problems is the first step; but 
individuals still need health care coverage to access the proper 
testing and treatments.
  During the 1970s, the sickle-cell anemia craze led to discrimination 
against African Americans and unnecessary public fear. To prevent this 
type of public fear and discrimination against any individual, this 
bill bars employers and health insurance companies from discriminating 
against an individual based on genetic information about potential 
health problems. The bill protects the consumer, by denying health 
insurance companies from setting higher premiums based on genetic 
tests.
  Individuals should not be penalized because of their genetic make-up; 
this is something no one has control of. Just because an individual is 
Hispanic and a likelier candidate for heart disease, should not lead to 
a higher insurance premium based on the results of a genetic test. 
Higher premiums are unrealistic and harmful to American families that 
already are struggling to pay for health care coverage for themselves 
and their children.
  Parents should not skip out on vital fact-finding genetic tests about 
potential health problems because of fear of loss of health care 
coverage or loss of their job.
  We need to protect our families and protect their health care 
coverage. I urge my Colleagues to support H.R. 493.

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