Senate Committee Passes Legislation To Prohibit Genetic Discrimination Among Employers, Insurers
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday by voice vote approved a bill (S 306) that would establish protections against genetic discrimination, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Under the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), employers could not use genetic information in employment decisions, and insurance companies could not deny coverage or establish premium rates based on such information (CQ HealthBeat, 2/10).
In addition, the committee passed three other health-related bills by voice vote, CQ Today reports.
One bill (S 288) would provide $15 million in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 for states that establish new health insurance pools for high-risk individuals. The legislation also would provide $75 million through operating grants from FY 2005 through FY 2009 to states that currently have such health insurance pools.
A second bill (S 265), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), would provide funds to study proposals to help states implement trauma care systems and improve trauma care in hospitals in rural areas.
A third bill (S 285) would extend for five years funds for children's hospitals for costs related to training programs for medical residents (Schuler, CQ Today, 2/9).