April 26, 2006
The Heart Rhythm Society is pleased to announce that it will join the Coalition for Genetic Fairness and support the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2005 (GINA) would prevent health insurers from denying coverage or adjusting premiums based on an individual's predisposition to a genetic condition, and prohibit employers from discriminating on the basis of predictive genetic information. Additionally, the legislation would stop employers and insurers from requiring applicants to submit to genetic tests, maintain strict use and disclosure requirements of genetic test information, and impose penalties against employers and insurers who violate these provisions. It would also establish a Genetic Nondiscrimination Study Commission to review the developing science of genetics and advise Congress on the advisability of providing for a disparate impact cause of action under this Act.
HRS believes it important to support this bill, since Heart Rhythm Society doctors treat patients who suffer from genetically caused arrhythmias, such as Long QT Syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Brugada syndrome.
The Senate version of the bill passed by a unanimous vote in February, 2005. The House version of the bill was introduced in March, 2005, and has been referred to the Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations and the House Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on Health. The bill has been sitting in these subcommittees without action since April, 2005. 166 representatives are currently co-sponsors of the bill, 73 Republican and 93 Democrat.
As part of the Coalition for Genetic Fairness, the Heart Rhythm Society will periodically contact you via Action Alerts requesting you to urge your Representative to co-sponsor the legislation, as well as keep you posted of any new developments through the weekly Current Events emails.
If you have any questions, please contact Nevena Minor, Coordinator, Health Policy at nminor@hrsonline.org.
