Engel Signs on to Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act
ENGEL SIGNS ON TO GENETIC INFORMATION NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT
December 21, 2005
Constituent Request Brought bill to Engel's Immediate Attention
Washington, D.C.- Congressman Eliot Engel has signed on as a sponsor to the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2005, which would prohibit insurance companies from discriminating on the basis of genetic information.
Congressman Engel said, "Genetic information can be used as a blueprint to help people, and perhaps make strides on diseases which currently do not have a cure. But this information should not be used to deny policies and employment to people who may have certain illnesses in their family history."
Engel signed on to this legislation after being approached by a constituent who expressed her concerns about her own family's health history. Beverly Fettman, of Riverdale, has a daughter who has familial dysautonomia, which results from a genetic defect causing incomplete development of the nervous system and is among the diseases covered by the legislation.
Ms. Fettman stated, "With this legislation, people won't be afraid to get a genetic test for fear they would be discriminated against by insurance companies or employers. Not having a test could endanger some people because they would not be aware of a potential threat to their health. I want to thank Congressman Engel for his support of this bill."
Rep. Engel thanked Ms. Fettman for contacting him about the legislation and proceeded to sign on as a cosponsor. "This is an example of local input that requires a national response. We have untold numbers of people across the country who should not be afraid of getting the help they may need for fear of losing their insurance or job."
Engel continued, "Everyone has a different genetic code. These genetic differences make us individuals, but they also predispose us to different health risks. This legislation will prevent insurance companies from using genetic testing to screen out people whose knowledge of their family health history could work against them."
This "cherry picking" would mean lower premiums for the select and impossibly high premiums for those who get ill. "Health insurance is designed to protect people who get sick; if insurance companies won't protect people who might get sick, what's the point of health insurance?" concluded Rep. Engel.
The bill has 161 cosponsors and will be referred for consideration to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which Congressman Engel is a Member.
http://engel.house.gov/index.cfm?ContentID=642&ParentID=7&SectionID=17&SectionTree=7,17&lnk=b&ItemID=639