House Bills - 110th Congress

H.R. 493 — The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007

On January 16, 2007, Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced H.R. 493, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007. The Senate companion, S. 358, was introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) on January 22. These bills, which would prohibit discrimination in health insurance and employment on the basis of predictive genetic information, are identical to legislation passed by the Senate during the 109th Congress. The bills would prohibit health insurers in both the group and individual markets from (1) using genetic information to impose enrollment restrictions or to adjust premium or contribution amounts, (2) requesting genetic testing or results except as necessary for treatment, payment, or health care operations, or (3) requesting or requiring the use of genetic information for the purposes of underwriting. The bills define a genetic test as an analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins, or metabolites that detects genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes. H.R. 493, which has 155 cosponsors, was referred to the House Committees on Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and on Ways and Means.

COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION

February 14, 2007 -  The House Education and Workforce Committee (Representative George Miller [D-CA], Chairman) ordered H.R. 493, as amended by the Committee, to be reported out of the Committee favorably.

March 2, 2007 – The House Committee on Ways and Means (Representative Charles Rangel [D-NY], Chairman) ordered H.R. 493, as amended by the Committee, to be reported out of Committee favorably.

March 23, 2007 – The House Committee on Energy and Commerce (Representative John Dingell [D-MI], Chairman) ordered H.R. 493, as amended by the Committee, to be reported out of Committee favorably.

FLOOR ACTION

April 25, 2007 – The House of Representatives passed H.R. 493 on a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill by a vote of 420-3.

April 24, 2008 – The Senate passed H.R. 493 by a vote of 95-0 as amended by the Senate.

May 1, 2008 – The House of Representatives passed H.R. 493 by a vote of 414-1 as amended by the Senate.

PRESIDENTIAL ACTION

May 21, 2008 – The President signed H.R. 493 into law as P.L. 110-233.

Legislative Update (May 2008): Genetic Nondiscrimination