About GINA
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), signed into law on May 21, 2008, is the first and only federal legislation that provides protections against discrimination based on an individual's genetic information in health insurance coverage and employment settings. The legislation protects against genetic discrimination by health insurers or employers by:
- prohibiting group health insurance plans and issuers offering coverage on the group or individual market from basing eligibility determinations or adjusting premiums or contributions on the basis of an individual's genetic information
- prohibiting issuers of Medigap policies from adjusting pricing or conditioning eligibility on the basis of genetic information
- prohibiting employers from firing, refusing to hire, or otherwise discriminating with respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment
2008
Senate Passes Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) (04/25/2008) — On April 24, 2008 the U.S. Senate passed the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) by a vote of 95-0. The Heart Rhythm Society is pleased with this outcome and looks forward to the House of Representatives passing and the President signing the bill into law. The Society, as a member of the Coalition for Genetic Fairness, had lobbied for passage of this bill. Learn more»
2006
The Society Participates in Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act Briefing with Rep. Judy Biggert (IL-13) (07/13/2006) — The Heart Rhythm Society participated in a meeting of the Coalition for Genetic Fairness that featured presenters Congresswoman Judy Biggert (IL-13), lead sponsor of the GINA Act; and filmmaker Joanna Rudnick, whose upcoming documentary film, In the Family, chronicles her struggle with the BRCA gene and fear of genetic discrimination. Learn more » The Society Joins Coalition for Genetic Fairness and Supports Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act ( 04/26/2006) — The Heart Rhythm Society is pleased to announce that it will join the Coalition for Genetic Fairness and support the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. Learn more »